UK Secretary of State Lisa Nandy Visits ALT

As the UK Government unveils its Creative Industries Sector Vision, the Academy of Live Technology (ALT) took centre stage during a ministerial visit to Production Park, exemplifying how education, industry and innovation can work together to close the creative skills gap and build a globally competitive regional cluster. 

Located within Production Park in South Kirkby, West Yorkshire, ALT is at the heart of a unique ecosystem where students, educators and industry professionals collaborate daily to develop the talent driving the future of live entertainment. During her visit, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Lisa Nandy MP, witnessed first-hand how the Academy is embedded within one of the UK's most dynamic creative clusters. 

ALT’s core mission is to train the next generation of live events professionals in the live events and creative sectors by delivering industry-aligned, practice-based education in technical production, stage management, creative technologies, and live experience design. As part of a wider campus that also houses global production companies and R&D labs like XPLOR, ALT ensures that students are not just learning theory – they’re working alongside professionals on real-world productions. 

This model directly supports the government’s call for expanded access to creative careers, particularly in underrepresented regions. ALT is already delivering on this vision – not only in the North of England but globally, with campuses in the US and a growing presence in the Middle East. 

The Secretary of State’s tour included a behind-the-scenes look at The 1975’s Glastonbury production build, a technically ambitious project that ALT students engaged with during development. It’s just one example of how the Academy’s students gain hands-on experience with some of the world’s most complex productions – experience that directly prepares them for the demands of industry. 

As the UK creative sector looks to the next decade, ALT’s role has never been more vital. Through its integration with Production Park, ALT is helping shape a future where regional talent development, skills innovation, and industry access are central to national creative growth. 

“Bringing education, production, and R&D together under one roof is not just beneficial – it’s essential,” said Lee Brooks, CEO of Production Park and founder of ALT. “Our students don’t just train for the industry; they train in it. That’s how we close the gap – by embedding skills development at the heart of where innovation happens.” 

ALT stands ready to help deliver on the Creative Industries Sector Vision – by equipping the next generation of professionals with the skills, mindset, and hands-on experience needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global creative economy.