National Skills Day for media industries
Wednesday 19 May 2004
Speaking at the launch Lord Puttnam said:
“National Skills Day will raise awareness of the fundamental importance of skills and career progression to the future of the Broadcasting industry. Every one of the major Broadcasters are involved, and it's vital that all companies in the industry - small, medium and large - focus on developing the skills and talent which will become drivers of the future strength and prosperity of the industry. Broadcasting is characterised by freelance working patterns that offer little in the way of career structure and technology is constantly changing so that a willingness to engage in lifelong learning is now absolutely essential. A dedicated day during which the entire industry focuses on skills is long overdue. We hope that employers and training providers will take a creative approach to activities on National Skills Day 2005 thereby acting as a real beacon to other sectors.”
Skillset’s Workforce Survey 2003, which questioned nearly 2000 employees and freelancers, found that despite a highly qualified workforce – 66% are educated to degree level compared to 16% of the UK as a whole - almost two thirds reported training needs, with 9 out of 10 who sought training reporting barriers to receiving it. The survey also revealed that retention levels within the industry are low with only 39% of the workforce aged over 35.
-ENDS-For more information contact:
Eve Ragout
Press and PR Co-ordinator
Skillset
07968 010 325
Jane Saunders
Project Co-ordinator
National Skills Day
01372 729 249
Notes to Editor
1. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries covering Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. SSCs are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector.
2. Quotes from partners:“Independent film, TV and interactive production companies rely on a constant stream of new talent to maintain and build their businesses. They are also continuously developing the skills of their staff and freelancers to ensure that their companies produce the best content possible. With this in mind, Pact, which represents the commercial interests of nearly 1,000 indies, jumped at the chance to be involved with National Skills Day - anything that can focus on the importance of talent and skills demands everyone in the industry’s support.”
John McVay, Chief Executive, Pact
“National Skills Day is a fantastic idea. Everyone involved in the industry should take this opportunity to look at what they can do to continue developing their talent. Everyone in the industry should take this opportunity to look at what they could offer to continue developing talented people.”
Alec McPhedran, Training and Development Manager, Channel 4
“National Skills Day is long overdue. The industry should share what it has to offer with prospective employees both young and old. It is an exciting industry going through massive change, using a highly skilled and competent workforce. The BBC is in full support of National Skills Day and hopes to play a major role in its implementation.”
Nigel Paine, Head of BBC Academy
“Whilst the industry has a very skilled workforce, there are skills gaps in some areas. Professionals working in the industry need to be aware that they should be continually improving and develop their skills, in order to be marketable. I strongly welcome National Skills Day and the opportunity it presents to raise the profile of the need for skills and development.”
Clive Jones, Managing Director, ITV News Group, and Skillset Chair
'We are proud to support the work of Skillset. As a broadcaster that relies upon talent, both in the independent production community and in our own employees, we are committed to initiatives that help to develop and nurture skills. National Skills Day gives us a great opportunity to celebrate the value of skills development and to focus upon how we can strive to achieve more in this important area.'
Karen Caddick, Head of Human Resources, five tv
“The importance of skills to the industry is something Skillset has been campaigning on for over a decade. To us, it is something which pre-occupies us every single day. In jointly developing the concept of National Skills Day we hope to raise the profile and importance of the impact of skills on individual, company and industry performance. It may be one day a year, but it is a day that will lead to many new and innovative approaches to skills development being spawned that we believe will have a lasting impact. “
Gary Townsend, Executive Director, Communications & Public Affairs, Skillset
“Broadcast is pleased to be behind the launch of National Skills Day and will be providing extensive support and coverage in the next year. There is a clear need for improved skills training across the whole industry and National Skills day will be instrumental in meeting that need.”
Jon Baker, Publishing Director, Broadcast
“The skills, talent and hard work of the people in our industry are the key to its future success. BECTU are delighted to support NSD because it puts people first and brings all the industry stakeholders together in an exciting joint endeavour. NSD will be a key fixture in our calendar from now on.”
Brian Kelly, Training Officer, Bectu
3. Supporters of National Skills Day - The following organisations have pledged their support to National Skills Day in terms of activities and involvement throughout the coming year:- Royal Television Society, Film Distributor’s Association, BAFTA, Guild of Location Managers, British Screen Advisory Council, Women In Film and Television, Writers Guild of Great Britain, IVCA, SMG plc, Guild of Television Cameramen, EM-Media, ASPEC, S4C, BKSTS, Equity, Director’s Guild of Great Britain, Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission, Film London, Society of Television Lighting Directors, Ulster Television, The Production Guild of Great Britain, South West Screen, Scottish Screen, Screen South, Screen West Midlands, Screen Yorkshire, Screen South, Media Training North West, Welsh Independent Producers, Institute of Video Technology, National Film and Television School, RDF Media, CRCA, GWR Radio, Virgin Radio, Chrysalis Radio, Scottish Holdings Media, Research Centre for Television and Interactivity, Red Kite Productions, Soho Editors, Picture Canning Company.