For the UK's Interactive Media and Computer Games industries to remain competitive in the long term, companies and organisations within it need collectively to promote workforce development and ensure skills are adequately developed across the sector.

All research carried out as part of this Sector Skills Agreement process has consistently identified that the future of the industry and its competitive edge relies on developing the small/medium business sector and the following priorities:

• the need for targeted contextualised business support for those companies to remain in business, to grow; and
• Management and leadership training and support for small businesses to develop higher level skills in-house.

Companies need to ensure their management candidates are better prepared and properly trained for any new roles so that these functions can be carried out professionally rather than falling to the most convenient member of staff, who may not be the most suitable. Support may be needed in this area, in particular:

• Sector-specific business development schemes, linking available offers from the public sector with up-to-date sector expertise and experts with credible and relevant business development experience;
• Company-based management and leadership diagnostics, and support for flexible programmes aimed at existing small to medium companies.

Skillset's research has identified a number of approaches to business development already being piloted by regional or national partners and delivery agencies as well as by Skillset and specific trade associations in the industry. A more even and consistent approach to funding and delivery, coupled with clearer signposting to ensure that the companies know about and can access support, would provide the catalyst for business growth opportunities across the sectors and regions.

For individuals and freelancers in particular, identifying what training will mean for them and how it will help their careers is the big issue. With the increasing use of freelancers within the Interactive Media and Computer Games industry, the following skills requirements and knowledge will become increasingly essential and will need to be catered for:

• A need for business skills to manage their workflow, time, finances and client relationships.
• A rich combination of skills will be a common requirement as many companies will maintain only a small core team of permanent staff, surrounded by a large network of freelancers.

The convergence from both related and non-related media sectors could also be encouraged through a provision of a 'market orientation' for entrants from these other sectors. There is also a requirement for the development of a clearer guidance for people from other media and non-media related disciplines to transfer to Interactive Media to help meet the sector's needs.

The following interventions have been recommended by industry and every opportunity will be sought by the Interactive Media and Computer Games Skills Forums, through Skillset, to make them a reality.

1. BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS PROGRAMME

2. AWARENESS RAISING, CONVERSION COURSES AND TALENT SPOTTING TO IMPORT KEY EXPERTISE INTO THE SECTORS

3. INDUSTRY SPECIFIC SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

4. MENTORING AND COACHING

5. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

6. BUSINESS ADVICE

For further information on Skillset's Strategies read:

Creating the Future

or

Interactive Media Skills Strategy

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