The Next Level Programme is a three-month paid professional development programme designed to support emerging and early-career Black creatives, People of Colour, and allies in Scotland who are interested in developing skills in marketing, media and communications, audience engagement, community outreach, and brand representation within the cultural sectors and beyond.
Participants are engaged as paid freelance Brand Ambassadors (around 10-15 hours a week) and are remunerated in line with Real Living Wage principles. Through practical work experience, training, mentoring, networking, and community engagement opportunities, participants develop industry-relevant skills, professional confidence, and meaningful professional connections.
The programme also creates pathways to future opportunities, including freelance project-based work with Be United, placements with partner organisations, and opportunities to build experience and networks across Scotland and the wider UK.