Skills are vital in building a future Digital Britain
Skillset's response to Digital Britain, unveiled today by Minister for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting Lord Stephen Carter. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Creative Media Industries (film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging and publishing).
Skillset Chief Executive Dinah Caine said: "It is vital that the UK is in a position to fully develop world-class media content and exploit the dramatic shift to digital technology. Today's Digital Britain report is a very welcome step in this direction. We must make sure that we are in a position to seize opportunities and do not get left behind in the fast-changing media landscape.
"The report sets out an overall framework and will undoubtedly be a major boost for the development of the creative sector. Skillset worked jointly with e-skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for IT and Communications industries, to help shape the skills and education content of Digital Britain. As the first example of industrial and skills activism, we look forward to working with the new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to make the recommendations in the report become a reality for the sector.
"Digital Britain makes several key recommendations around boosting skills and talent, including:
- Recognising how vital the higher education sector is in developing high-level digital skills needed by the industry
- Supporting the need for new high-level apprenticeships for the digital media industries
- Recognising the vital role of public service broadcasters in developing skills for the media industry
- Highlighting the central role of training and skills development for local news consortia
- Setting out the pivotal role that Skillset and e-skills UK will play in delivering recommendations around skills for a Digital Britain.
"In this increasingly digital age, jobs can quickly be filled across the globe. We must make sure the most skilled-up digital workforce, as well as the best technology, is in place to be able to compete. One cannot happen without the other. The UK must become a magnet for digital talent.
"As set out in Digital Britain, Skillset very much looks forward to building on the already excellent relationship we have with Channel 4 by working with them closely around diversity. We will also be working closely with the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) and Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to develop skills and training.
"Skillset has already developed an excellent relationship with the BBC in the skills arena, signing a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to promote education and learning across the creative media industries."
Ends
Media enquiries:
Jennifer Walters
e: jenniferw@skillset.org
t: 0207 713 9812
Notes to Editors
- Skillset and e-skills UK (Sector Skills council for IT and Communications industries) jointly submitted Digital Britain: Creating the Skills for the Digital Economy, after a request from Lord Stephen Carter, as part of the Digital Britain interim report. This can be found at: Digital Britain
- The BBC and Skillset Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) evolved from the BBC's Charter and Agreement, which came into effect in January last year, and Skillset's Television Skills Strategy, announced in July 2006. The Charter outlines the BBC's training responsibilities to the wider industry and the need to further develop strategic partnerships to implement these objectives. This collaboration allows Skillset and the BBC to share objectives and activities to support the promotion of media literacy in society and diversity within the workforce.
- Skillset is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Creative Media which comprises TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging and publishing. SSCs are licensed by the UK Government and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. They are independent, UK-wide organisations, are employer-led, and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the industry.