"Create x Connect"
- training initiative for Creatives led by the National Film and Television School.
I am not the young, creative, demographic targeted by this initiative - however, I know a good number of us here might be - therefore, this article caught my attention as it talks about a Creator Incubator initiative supported by YouTube in partnership with the BBC.
This BBC article (14 May 2026)) talks about a course led by the National Film and Television School marking the partnership between the BBC and YouTube to promote skills for upcoming UK creatives
BBC - "The BBC and YouTube have launched a partnership with the National Film and Television School (NFTS) to help upskill the next generation of creatives across the UK.
Under the training programme, which kicked off in Birmingham on Thursday, 150 media professionals, including TV producers, digital creators and journalists, will develop their YouTube and production skills through workshops and events.
A series of workshops will be held both online and at BBC hubs in Birmingham, Salford, Glasgow, Newcastle, Belfast and Cardiff."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgzvlewj33o
It seemed a bit odd that the article didn't readily signpost interested people to more information about the workshops and events.
I can see that (21 January 2026) there had been an earlier announcement (again, missing the signposting.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0q4521pg28o
https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2026/bbc-group-youtube-strategic-partnership
As the National Film and Television School:were described as keading the initiative, I had a look around their website.
nfts.co.uk/.../nfts-launches-create-x-connect-training-partnership-bbc-and-youtube
The 1 year, part time, blended YouTube course listed, actually opened its applications window back in March 2026, with applications now closed for 2026 (but there is a button to register interest).
https://nfts.co.uk/creator-incubator-supported-youtube
The Lead Tutor is Anna Cronin.
https://nfts.co.uk/people/anna-cronin
I feel the BBC articles could have made it much clearer what were the course arrangements - as it is, they appear to be celebrating the first run date of the workshops for a course, with 150 places in 2026, which has already closed to applications!
Hopefully, those interested might, at least, be able to register their interest for news about the application window opening for a future run of the course via the above NFTS link about the Create x Connect Creator Incubator supported by YouTube.
To give people an idea of the format of the course-run during 2026, here were the jey dates (maybe something similar might be run in a future year).
2026
Key dates:
Thurs 12 Mar: Applications open
Mon 6 Apr: Applications close
Thurs 14 May: In-person launch event, Digbeth Birmingham
w/c 26 May to w/c 29 June: Online weekly sessions begin (6 sessions)
Jul-Aug: Tasks assigned (no sessions)
w/c 31 Aug to w/c 21 Sept: Online weekly sessions (4 sessions)
Sept-Oct: In-person events (6 locations to choose from)