30 July, 2025
Masterclass season brings thousands of Club members together with leading professionals from across a wide range of industries. As a key part of the National Saturday Club’s programme, these sessions offer an inspiring glimpse into possible career paths while helping to develop young people’s skills and creativity.
This year’s Masterclasses featured teams from Adobe, Burberry, Christie’s, Sky, YouTube, Crew HQ x Warner Bros Discovery, the V&A, Transport for Greater Manchester and many more.
We asked our Masterclass givers:
If a young person asked you what opportunities, developments or challenges you expect to see in your industry over the next five years, what would you say?
Here’s what some of them had to say:
The integration of AI into the creative workflow is, I think, the biggest challenge. AI is a bit of a game-changer, in the same way that digital working changed the landscape when we began moving away from analogue. After that, sustainability is the next driver for change and challenges. The consumer is much more aware than ever before, and this hugely influences the design process.
Thomas Brindley, Design Director at Burberry
I would say that it is a very competitive industry, but nevertheless it is filled with so many great and creative people, many of whom work very hard behind the scenes, who are not necessarily outwardly visible/of a high profile. Working in fashion or textile design requires both design skills and technical know-how. With social media and the amazing free online resources, it is now much easier to learn new skills without necessarily spending a lot of money or enrolling on long or expensive courses. Have perseverance and once an opportunity arises, take it. Especially whilst you are young. It’s important to learn what kind of roles or companies you do not want to work in, just as much as ones that you do, so all experience can be valuable and useful. To remain competitive in the creative industry, it’s important to either lean into training yourself with digital skills and/or training yourself up with skills that cannot exclusively be replaced by technology.
Mercedes Williams, Artist at the V&A Masterclass
I expect to see more people bringing sustainability into their careers, no matter what career path they choose to pursue. I also see a lot more interest and opportunities in science communication careers.
Gemma Connell, Youth Engagement Lead at Ocean Generation
High-end craft is increasingly becoming the ‘New Luxury’, as we enter the age of AI. I have had two conversations with luxury British brands (one in high fashion shoes and one in luxury cars) who have used this phrase – I believe this could be a great time to hone and excel at your craft to a high level. However, with the rising cost of living etc, it is paramount to learn business and marketing skills alongside your craft, have good mentors who can steer you in the right direction, and build multiple income streams for your business to be agile and self-sufficient. If you wish to be a self-employed craftsperson – it’s not a straightforward path, but if you are patient, willing to work very hard, and forge your own path, it can be really rewarding and take you in directions you couldn’t dream of at the beginning!
Hanny Newton, Contemporary Embroidery Artist
There will be more digital media, more paid-for media, and possibly lots more social media-based journalism that isn’t necessarily well-regulated. In terms of democracy, there’s lots of opportunities for young people to engage in campaigning, whether it’s student politics or via other things happening currently in the news. We’re living in a time of significant political upheaval and that means that will inspire people to keep getting involved and creating the change they want to see.
Banseka Kayembe, Director of Naked Politics
Technological advances can’t be ignored. It may well be that there will be a renewed emphasis on the hand-made, the live, the personal and that something like performance will have a key role to play in connecting people in a way that is impossible digitally. I would tell a young person to keep accessing as many opportunities as they can in their local area and to team up with other students/people their own age. Self-made opportunities are going to become increasingly important (as opposed to institutional opportunities).
Nicola Dale, Artist in sculpture and performance
As with a lot of the trades in the construction industry, there is a shortfall of young people entering the sector, this is no different in our area of stonework. The industry faces the challenge of developing enough young people to meet demand. That of course means that stonemasons are in demand. There is a huge amount of work, both in the heritage sector and in the commercial construction sector for the skills that well trained stonemasons have.
Paul Temple, Marketing and Brands Manager at PAYE
I would say that regardless of the opportunities, developments and challenges that lie ahead, the core thing that will get you through is your passion and unstoppable curiosity.
Jim Le Fevre, Animator