The Young People at Bradford 2025 on Being Bold and Being Bradford
We spoke to three young people, Ella, Isra and Kelvin, about working for Bradford 2025 and the range of experiences they gained along the way.
Published: December 16, 2025
Bradford 2025’s commitment to nurture the next generation of creative leaders has created paid training, placement and apprenticeship roles for over 50 young people.
Ella, Isra and Kelvin all went to school in the district but discovered their Bradford 2025 roles via different routes: Isra worked as a Learning Support Assistant in a Special Educational Needs school, Ella was studying Creative Media and Production at the University of Huddersfield, and Kelvin had recently graduated from Manchester School of Architecture.
In 2023 the Bradford 2025 Youth Panel was established to help shape the UK City Of Culture programme. Ella decided to apply because “it looked like a cool, creative role in Bradford” and was a unique, creative opportunity for young people in the District. The experience as a Youth Panel member helped Ella secure her university placement with Bradford 2025, and later returning as Production Assistant.
For Isra, Bradford 2025’s Apprenticeship scheme first came to her attention at a local careers fair. Although she had no direct experience working in the creative sector Isra was curious to find out more from the Bradford 2025 Skills and Training Team “I asked about beginner friendly jobs I could apply for, and they said they had a few apprenticeships. That’s how I got there.”
When Kelvin applied to the Young Creatives scheme, he was interested in finding a role where he could develop his design skills in a new setting. “I wanted to branch out into the creative industries with Bradford City of Culture [and] to see what more was out there.”
Looking back over the past eighteen months Ella, Isra and Kelvin all point to the wide range of projects they have been able to support. Their portfolio of experience includes (amongst others) RISE, the Ramadan Pavilion, New Music Biennial, Turner Prize and Bradford 2025 closing event Brighter Still.
The pace of learning has been rapid, opening up new opportunities to take on more challenging roles, allowing skills to develop and flourish. All three have stepped up at key moments to take the lead within various projects.
Ella recalls her early thoughts when she was asked to stage manage the Creative Careers Festival at Bradford Live. “It was a big responsibility in a brand-new venue. But once I started … I felt at home. I felt like I should be doing this.”
At the start of Isra’s Apprenticeship role, she imagined it would “be on the sidelines, watching or shadowing someone”. The reality was very different and, far from being a passive observer, Isra was soon pitching marketing and PR content ideas, being part of multi-team meetings and eventually leading on a campaign. The positive impacts of these experiences have been profound.
Our Bradford 2025 Apprentices planned, produced, and delivered the Creative Careers Festival as part of their learning experience. The event aimed to support young people to gain insight and access opportunities in the creative industry. Take a look back at the day by the Bradford 2025 Apprentices.
Each Young Creative attended a weekly external placement to develop skills and confidence working with a Bradford 2025 partner organisation. Kelvin’s role with South Square gallery included programming and leading creative workshops “I’ve learned a lot of leadership skills. It makes me feel proud that I can trust in my ability to be a leader.”
Kelvin is pleased that Bradford is now in the spotlight and known as a creative place, producing high quality work.
Isra also welcomes the opportunity to talk positively about the creative talent in her home city “I’ve enjoyed being able to speak about Bradford 2025 to people who don’t know about it, especially in my own community … It makes me proud to be Bradfordian … I was born and bred here!”
Reflecting back on their learning, all three are glad they were supported to find the courage to take on new roles and work challenges. Offering advice to her younger self, Isra says, “You shouldn’t be afraid to take the unconventional route. I’d advise myself not to be shy to apply for a cultural job.”
This feeling is echoed by Kelvin, “Be open to trying new things. There is honestly 100% no harm in going in a different direction.”
And Ella recommends being brave, to embrace the unexpected, “Say yes to the opportunities that you wouldn’t usually say yes to, because you don’t know what is going to lead to.”
