Apple and The King’s Trust have launched Apple x King’s Trust Creative Labs, a new education program designed to help young people across the UK develop creative digital skills and explore careers in the creative industries.
Announced by Apple, the Creative Labs program will connect participants with Apple experts, technology, resources and mentorship while introducing them to different career pathways across the creative sector.
The first cohort will include up to 20 people ages 18 to 30, who will take part in specialized workshops focused on industry-aligned skills using Apple technology. Apple says further sessions and cohorts will follow over the next year.
The program began this week with workshops focused on the music and creative industries, timed alongside the recent opening of Apple Music Hall at Battersea Power Station in London. Participants will receive hands-on experience intended to build practical skills, confidence and knowledge that can support their move into employment.
Apple says the initiative builds on its longstanding partnership with The King’s Trust, the UK youth charity founded by King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, in 1976. The charity is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and says it has helped 1.3 million young people across the UK develop skills, find employment opportunities and start businesses.
Apple and The King’s Trust have worked together on education initiatives since 2019. Apple’s support has helped expand the charity’s STEAM programming through its Achieve program to schools across the UK, with young people using Apple coding resources to develop apps addressing needs within their communities.
The King’s Trust also uses Apple technology and learning resources in its 12-week Team program, which helps young adults work toward a Personal Development and Employability qualification.
The two organizations are additionally developing resources focused on artificial intelligence literacy, creativity and agency for young people and educators. The work is intended to help teachers integrate newer technologies into education while giving young people the skills to use them thoughtfully.
Alisha Johnson Wilder, Apple’s senior director of Global Community Impact, said the Creative Labs program will connect the next generation of creators and innovators with Apple experts, technology and mentorship to help participants build skills and explore their interests.
Jonathan Townsend, UK chief executive of The King’s Trust, said the initiative builds on a partnership that has already created opportunities for thousands of young people and will help more participants develop creative digital skills and confidence as they move toward employment.