Media Industry Stable
The third annual Employment Census by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries, recorded the highest response to date, with 840 companies taking part. A 100%response rate was achieved amongst broadcasters. The census is the key measurement of the Broadcast, Film, Video and Interactive Media Industries, quantifying the workforce make up by sector and occupational area. It was conducted on Census Day, 26 June 2002.
The Census estimates that a total of 150,000 people were working on Census Day, around a quarter of whom were freelance, and shows that employment levels within broadcast TV (around 25,000), broadcast radio (around 21,000), and independent production (around 13,000) have remained relatively stable. Taking into account the estimated number of freelancers not working on Census Day, this indicates a total workforce of over 200,000. However, some employers have announced job cuts since Census Day.
Between 2000-2002 the overall number of minority ethnic groups working across the industry rose from 5.4% to 8.6% among employees and from 6.4% to 7.3% among freelancers. The increase of minority ethnic group representation has been most marked in the Broadcast TV and Radio sector where levels amongst employees increased from 6.3% to 7.9% and amongst freelancers from 6.9% to 7.8% over two years. However, sectors hit hardest by the downturn have experienced drops in the proportion of minority ethnic groups. Within the permanently employed workforce, Facilities saw a fall in representation to 4.5% with commercials decreasing to 0.3%.
Skillset Chair Clive Jones, Chief Executive of Carlton TV, and joint MD of ITV, said:"The overall increase is encouraging and reflects the significant progress made by initiatives such as the Skillset Millennium Awards and the industry wide Cultural Diversity Network. However, when you remind yourself that minority ethnic groups make up a quarter of the working population in London, where most of the industry is based, its obvious more work needs to be done. The figures show the industry has taken a positive step forward but to really change things increasing diversity needs to be at the top of the agenda."
Although there has been little change in the overall percentage representation of women across the workforce, remaining at 38%, the number of women working as freelancers has jumped 8% to 42%.
Barbara Benedek, Chair of Women in Film and Television said:
"It's good to see the growth in numbers of women working as freelancers. Because women are often responsible for caring for children and the family, it is important that they don't lose out in the freelance world, particularly in areas such as training, employment rights and financial security. Having attracted new talent to the industry we must ensure we keep and encourage it "
The proportion of women working in each sector varies from around a quarter of employees in interactive media and facilities to around half in broadcast TV and radio. There are also major differences by occupational area with women dominating in production, costume, wardrobe, make up and hairdressing but representation falling to around 10% in camera, lighting, sound and special effects.
The Census estimates that a total of 150,000 people were working on Census Day, around a quarter of whom were freelance, and shows that employment levels within broadcast TV (around 25,000), broadcast radio (around 21,000), and independent production (around 13,000) have remained relatively stable. Taking into account the estimated number of freelancers not working on Census Day, this indicates a total workforce of over 200,000. However, some employers have announced job cuts since Census Day.
Between 2000-2002 the overall number of minority ethnic groups working across the industry rose from 5.4% to 8.6% among employees and from 6.4% to 7.3% among freelancers. The increase of minority ethnic group representation has been most marked in the Broadcast TV and Radio sector where levels amongst employees increased from 6.3% to 7.9% and amongst freelancers from 6.9% to 7.8% over two years. However, sectors hit hardest by the downturn have experienced drops in the proportion of minority ethnic groups. Within the permanently employed workforce, Facilities saw a fall in representation to 4.5% with commercials decreasing to 0.3%.
Skillset Chair Clive Jones, Chief Executive of Carlton TV, and joint MD of ITV, said:"The overall increase is encouraging and reflects the significant progress made by initiatives such as the Skillset Millennium Awards and the industry wide Cultural Diversity Network. However, when you remind yourself that minority ethnic groups make up a quarter of the working population in London, where most of the industry is based, its obvious more work needs to be done. The figures show the industry has taken a positive step forward but to really change things increasing diversity needs to be at the top of the agenda."
Although there has been little change in the overall percentage representation of women across the workforce, remaining at 38%, the number of women working as freelancers has jumped 8% to 42%.
Barbara Benedek, Chair of Women in Film and Television said:
"It's good to see the growth in numbers of women working as freelancers. Because women are often responsible for caring for children and the family, it is important that they don't lose out in the freelance world, particularly in areas such as training, employment rights and financial security. Having attracted new talent to the industry we must ensure we keep and encourage it "
The proportion of women working in each sector varies from around a quarter of employees in interactive media and facilities to around half in broadcast TV and radio. There are also major differences by occupational area with women dominating in production, costume, wardrobe, make up and hairdressing but representation falling to around 10% in camera, lighting, sound and special effects.
