Get to know Adobe’s exciting new apprenticeship programme

Wondering how to take that first real step into a creative career? Adobe’s new programme could be exactly what you’ve been looking for. Their brand-new, paid apprenticeship scheme offers the chance to apply for roles with creative companies across the UK – from design studios to agencies and in-house teams. But that’s not all they have in store; we’ve partnered with Adobe to make sure you get all the details on how you can get involved.

Artwork by Phoebe Robinson for the Adobe Creative Apprenticeship

What is the Creative Apprenticeship programme?

Starting out in the creative industry can feel vague. There’s often no clear next step, and this is exactly where Adobe wants to help – by giving structure to a stage of the journey that can feel unsupported.

Hosted on Behance, Adobe’s platform for showcasing creative work, the initiative is much more than just offering placements. Built around three key elements, Adobe has designed a programme that helps you build experience and put ideas into practice:

How the apprenticeships work

Adobe is partnering with a selection of amazing creative companies to offer paid apprenticeships that last from three to six months. It’s making this possible by offering each company $20,000 USD to help cover the cost of pay and the team’s support and time. And these aren’t just any creative companies – they’re some of the most exciting names in the industry.

How does designing visual identities with Studio NARI sound? Or contributing to cutting-edge editorial work at It’s Nice That; maybe experimenting with fresh ideas at NOT Wieden+Kennedy...

These placements will be available in the UK, US and Canada, with some taking place in-person, some remote, or hybrid as a mix of both. Designed to ensure apprentices work as part of the team from day one, you can expect to work on live briefs, learn how projects are run, and receive guidance from the people around you.

In the UK, companies taking on apprentices include:

How to apply

To be eligible for an Adobe Creative Apprenticeship, there are three steps you’ll need to complete. Each one is structured to help you build confidence and get the most out of the programme.

Step 1: Update your Behance profile
Make sure you’re set up on Behance, with at least three projects that show off your skills. This is what potential clients and employers will see, so treat it as your portfolio.

Step 2: Take a course from the Career Resource Center
You’ll need to complete at least one of the brilliant short courses from the free learning hub on Behance. Topics include things like: Pricing your work, prepping for interviews and building your portfolio – all designed to get you ready for the next stage.

Step 3: Complete a paid commission
Before applying for an apprenticeship, you’ll need to complete one of Adobe’s commissioned briefs. These are real, paid projects (like poster designs, event visuals or social content – see images below for axamples) that give you hands-on experience and something solid to add to your portfolio. 

Once you’ve successfully completed your commissioned project for Adobe, you’ll be able to view and apply for apprenticeship roles with creative companies, directly through Behance.

Not ready yet? There’s plenty to explore

If you’re not quite ready to apply for a commission or apprenticeship, the Career Resource Center is full of useful skill-boosting info. It includes short courses, walkthroughs and live sessions that focus on the practical side of creative work. You don’t need to have everything figured out – it’s a space for learning as you go.

Just some of the free courses, local and virtual events on Behance

What’s next?

We’ll be working with Adobe over the coming months to make sure you know how to make the most of these brilliant opportunities. As well as sharing more insight on the programme, keep an eye out for:

Whether you're ready to apply or just want to explore what’s possible, this initiative opens the door to experience, support and work that actually moves your practice forward.

This article was created in partnership with Adobe. Every year, we partner with like-minded brands and agencies to support our initiative and keep Creative Lives a free resource for emerging creatives. See here to find out more about how you can work with us.