Positive action is about improving diversity and inclusion – it's a way for employers to support individuals from groups that have historically been under-represented in certain professions to secure entry-level jobs and build thriving careers.
Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates, disabled people, and people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds have historically faced greater barriers to entering the creative industries, and individuals from these groups are under-represented in professions across the sector. Positive action schemes aim to remove these barriers and make it easier for candidates from under-represented groups to access entry-level roles, stay in their chosen industry and rise to leadership positions.
How do positive action schemes work?
Positive action schemes often come in the form of ringfenced entry-level roles, where applications are only open to people from under-represented groups. These roles are usually accompanied by career support, mentoring and training.
Other schemes focus on career development for people from under-represented groups once they're working in their chosen profession. These schemes use tailored mentoring and coaching to help people develop new skills and progress to mid-career management and senior leadership roles.
Who are positive action schemes for?
Every positive action opportunity has its own set of qualifying criteria. Some are open to individuals from any group that's under-represented in the creative industries, while others are ringfenced for people from more specific groups. Below are some examples of positive action opportunities and who they're open to:
The Scheme from Penguin Random House – publishing traineeships for people from a lower socioeconomic background.
BBC Extend – ringfenced roles for people who are deaf, disabled or neurodivergent.
The Guardian's Positive Action Scheme – work experience opportunities for people who are disabled or from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background.
ONE School UK portfolio programme – a free 16-week advertising portfolio course for Black creatives.
Socioeconomic background
Penguin Random House's guidance notes for The Scheme say that you'd fit into thw lower socioeconomic background category if when you were aged 14, your highest-earning parent or guardian was unemployed, or employed in a non-managerial role in one of the following occupations:
technical or craft occupations – examples: car mechanic, plumber, electrician, train driver
routine, semi-routine, manual and service occupations – examples: postal worker, machine operative, security guard, farm worker, sales assistant, HGV driver, cleaner, labourer, bar staff.
The guidance notes encourage people to apply even if these categories don't perfectly line up with their individual situation, saying: "We recognise these are broad categories that may not fully reflect the many hundreds of jobs out there, or exactly fit your family situation. Please use your judgement when self-identifying."
Disability, deafness and neurodiversity
The frequently asked questions for BBC Extend say: "Anyone protected by the Equality Act (2010) definition of disability can apply for BBC Extend roles. The Equality Act (2010) says you’re a disabled person if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative or adverse effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. This definition includes both apparent and non-apparent conditions and impairments, and medical conditions such as Cancer, HIV or Multiple Sclerosis. It also includes people who identify as neurodivergent or as deaf and hard of hearing."
There's also this useful guidance on how much information you need to disclose about your disability: "In order for us to ensure only disabled people are considered for BBC Extend roles, you do need to tell us at application stage that you identify as disabled – but you don’t need to tell us what your impairment or condition is. There’s an optional question in the application, too, to tell us about the adjustments you require at application stage, at interview, and when in role."
Where can I find entry-level positive action schemes?
You'll find positive action entry-level internships and jobs here on our jobs board. And check out the Creative Access opportunities board too – Creative Access partners with employers to promote inclusivity across the creative industries, and their jobs board includes positive action jobs, internships and mentoring schemes.
Further reading on this topic
The Class Ceiling in the Creative Industries – research report published by Creative Access and FleishmannHillard in April 2024
Let's talk about the class ceiling in music – research insights from the charity Youth Music
Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre – research on diversity and inclusion in the creative industries
King's College London summary of the Creative Majority report – a summary of the report by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Creative Diversity.