Major report warns of gaping skills gaps in Creative Media Industries
17 March 2010
Major research launched today by Skillset reveals gaping skills gaps and shortages in the rapidly changing media landscape.
It is predicted that the Creative Industries will grow at twice the rate of the rest of the economy - and creative media is pivotal to this1. But Skillset's Strategic Skills Assessment for the Creative Media Industries in the UK warns we must have the right people in place to make this reality.
One in two companies in the Creative Media Industries report skills gaps as we move out of Recession and look to the future, it reveals2.
The first ever National Strategic Skills Audit, also released today by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), draws on Skillset's in-depth research. The UKCES audit was commissioned by the Government to provide vital intelligence to understand current and future skill needs for the economy.
Skillset's report says there is an "oversupply" in many general creative media roles, but serious skills shortages in areas like digital technology and multiplatform capability, broadcast engineering, business and commercial know-how, visual effects and craft-orientated jobs.
Graduates now make up 73 per cent of the workforce, compared to 66 per cent in 2003. And more than half (53 per cent) of all degrees held are media related. Yet, overall, the proportion of people with relevant technical or vocational qualifications is low at seven per cent3.
One in four employers say more training is needed in multiplatform content and new and digital technology4. One in 10 argue that greater management and leadership skills are a priority, particularly to drive their business to take advantage of multiplatform opportunities5.
Skillset research also reveals that one in two people in the creative media feel they need training6. Yet nine in ten reported barriers and obstacles to getting this - including fees being too high (40 per cent) and employers being unwilling to pay for training (34 per cent)7.
GMTV chairman and Skillset chair Clive Jones said: "It's crucial that we nurture talent, close skills gaps and shape up our current and future workforce to lead the way globally.
"The outlook is positive, but we need to make sure we have the right people in place to make this a reality."
Skillset argues this is more challenging as the industry has also suffered because of recession. Almost a third of employers sampled said they had, or expected to make, staff redundant as a direct result. Just over a third had not renewed freelance contracts8.
Some parts of the creative media have also experienced a worrying fall in numbers of women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic workers, as well as an increase in people leaving in their thirties and forties9.
Skillset chief executive Dinah Caine said: "Our in-depth analysis highlights the serious challenges ahead for creative media as we emerge out of recession. We know, for example, that the industry is routinely losing highly skilled professionals. It is also likely that demand for the highly skilled freelance labour pool will increase.
"It is vital that the industry adapts quickly and invests now to be in the best position to manage rapid change."
Recommendations in this in-depth report, which drives all Skillset's work and links closely to the Government's Creative and Digital Britain reports, also include:
- Launching a Professional Apprenticeship and Internship Programme for the Creative Media Industries
- Creating a ‘Digital Professional Skills Development Fund'
- Forging closer links to higher and further education, including greater uptake of Skillset-backed courses and accreditation services, such as Skillset Academies. This is strongly supported by employers.
Full implications of the recession on the Creative Media Industries are set to be captured in Skillset's Creative Media Workforce Survey 2010 and Employers Survey 2010.
For more information please contact:
- Skillset press and PR manager Jennifer Walters on 0207 713 9854 or jenniferw@skillset.org
- Skillset press and PR officer Nick Sheridan on 020 713 9854 or nicks@skillset.org, Out-of-hours: 07827 989 330.
Notes to Editors:
- The Strategic Assessment for the Creative Media Industry (SSA) can be found at www.skillset.org/ssa
- The UK Commission has been charged by Government to produce an annual National Strategic Skills Audit. It provides the co-ordinated and consistent intelligence required to understand current and future skill needs in England: identifying key drivers of change; trends; current and emerging strategic needs; and priorities for action.
- More information on Creative Britain and Digital Britain can be found on the DCMS website.
- 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.
Research notes
1 www.nesta.org.uk
2 Skillset (2009) From Recession to Recovery. Based on a sample of 262 employers.
3 Skillset (2008) Creative Media Workforce Survey. Figures exclude film production, photo imaging and publishing.
4 Skillset (2009) From Recession to Recovery. Based on a sample of 262 employers.
5 Skillset Archives Skills Strategy, 2009; Skillset (2008); Creative Media Workforce Survey. Figures exclude film production, photo imaging and publishing.
6 Skillset (2008) Creative Media Workforce Survey. Figures exclude film production, photo imaging and publishing.
7 Skillset (2009) From Recession to Recovery. Based on a sample of 262 employers.
8 Skillset (2009) From Recession to Recovery. Based on a sample of 262 employers.
9 Skillset (2008) Creative Media Workforce Survey. Skillset (2006) Balancing Children and Work in the Audio Visual Industries; Skillset (2005) Survey of the Audio Visual Industries' Workforce; Skillset (2003) Workforce Survey.