Issue
As digital literacy and creative confidence become increasingly crucial for future careers, many young people lack access to real-world media environments. Traditional classroom learning often fails to keep pace with rapid technological change. To address this, Sky aimed to inspire the next generation by providing hands-on access to professional tools, immersive experiences, and opportunities to explore creative roles.

Insight
Sky set out to provide schoolchildren with an engaging, interactive experience that delivers real educational value. The initiative allowed students to experience media professions first-hand in a live broadcasting studio, building confidence, sparking creativity, and developing communication, collaboration, and storytelling skills.

Idea
Sky Skills Studios was developed as a bespoke, digitally enabled environment where young people could explore the behind-the-scenes world of broadcasting. Students worked in teams, taking on roles such as camera operator, producer, director, and editor, and used professional equipment, including broadcast-quality cameras, green screens, and touchscreen edit tables. Each visit concluded with students producing their own news report, trailer, or film pitch, combining creativity, teamwork, and technical skills.

Impact
Since its launch in 2013, the programme has become Sky’s flagship educational initiative. Studios in London, Livingston, Leeds, and Dublin each host up to 12,000 young people annually. To date, more than half a million students aged 8 to 18 have participated free of charge. The initiative has received five industry awards and, more importantly, has inspired a generation by integrating education with creativity, technology, and real-world experience.

Press

https://www.skyup.sky/academy-studios