Put Industry in charge of Skills Government told
Independent review on 2020 skills needs backs Sector Skills Councils and the industry-led approach
Skillset warmly welcomes the recommendations of the Leitch Review published today and its endorsement of Sector Skills Councils and the industry-led approach to tackling skills and training issues. The independent review, commissioned by Gordon Brown to investigate the changes necessary to meet the skills challenges of the UK economy in 2020, has concluded that industry should be the driving force behind devising and implementing solutions to skills and education problems via its Sector Skills Council.
Clive Jones, Chief Executive of ITV News and Regions, said:
"Without doubt, by working through Skillset, our Sector Skills Council, we as an industry have achieved far more together than we ever could have working independently. The sector approach unites employers, trade unions and trade organizations, fostering collaboration, resulting in a more streamlined and targeted response to addressing the skills agenda. I welcome the Leitch Review's findings and trust the Government listens and delivers on its promise of real influence so we can start making the changes needed for our industry and the economy to thrive."
Stewart Till, Chairman and CEO of United International Pictures, said:
"Through Skillset the British film industry has developed a comprehensive Sector Skills Agreement which is already making a real and long term difference to our ability to stay ahead of our competitors around the world and build on our growth potential. I'm encouraged by the recommendations of the Leitch Review and hope that the Government now puts greater weight behind the Sector Skills Agreement process."
Donald Emslie, Chief Executive, SMG plc, said:
"Industry must provide clear leadership when it comes to influencing skills and training because the success of our industry in Scotland is so heavily reliant on the skills and talent of the workforce. I therefore welcome today's endorsement of Skillset and other Sector Skills Councils and hope that this will lead to greater support and powers from the Scottish Parliament, particularly at this crucial time during the current review of Scotland's Lifelong Learning Strategy being undertaken by the Scottish Executive. Working in partnership to common goals will help us lead the way forward in the drive to improve skills and productivity across the workforce."
Iona Jones, Chief Executive, S4C, said:
"As a Sector Skills Council Skillset places the industry in Wales at the heart of its solutions meeting the skills challenges facing our sector and this has been the most effective way to make those problems a thing of the past. I'm pleased by the Leitch Reviews recommendations and I look forward to renewed Government and Assembly support and resources to enable our industry to capitalise on future growth and opportunities."
Martin Spence, Assistant General Secretary of Bectu, said:
"We are delighted that the Leitch Review supports a sector-based approach to skills and training. In the audio visual industries we have worked through Skillset to help our members and others build their careers in the industry, and tackle skills challenges. Where unions and employers are committed to it, the sector-based approach works."
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the Audio Visual Industries, works with the industry to identify and address skills and training needs within the workforce. Skillset was one of the first of 25 SSCs to negotiate its Sector Skills Agreement (SSA) covering film, TV and interactive media. These action plans detail the sectors needs and how best to make available the training and education that will meet those needs and are brokered by an SSC between industry employers, unions and trade organisation, universities, colleges and other training providers and Government and its public agencies.
Skillset's SSA was published in May 2005 and achievement highlights include:
- Establishing a UK wide Skillset Screen Academy Network made up of 7 centres of excellence in film skills and education, including the first ever Film Business Academy. As a direct result of their status within the Network Academies have been able to leverage over £2.5m of public funding in addition to industry investment channeled through Skillset.
- Developing a Creative and Media diploma to fulfill the aspirations of 14-19 year olds and provide a world class qualification and credible alternative to A-levels, valued by employers and Higher Education.
- Launching a £3m drive to improve diversity in the media with a programme of over 20 innovative projects across the UK enabling almost 600 individuals to benefit. Initiatives within the Audio Visual Entrepreneurship (AVE) Programme range from mentoring and work placements schemes to graduate fellowships.
- Investing £4m in short courses for more than 3000 professionals working in TV and film and funding over 200 new entrants on industry sponsored structured placement schemes.
- Agreeing a system of co-regulation within the TV industry and in partnership with Ofcom and establishing the Broadcast Training & Skills Regulator (BTSR). The industry agreed a measurement for training activity and a formula for investing in the freelance workforce and will produce personal development plans for staff and file annual reports on training activity to the BTSR which reports annually to Ofcom.
- Enabling more than 250 new entrants to earn the Skillset Industry Induction Certificate (City & Guilds level 2 qualification) covering key cross-sector skills including current and emerging technologies, and health and safety which was developed in response to employers feedback that new entrants lacked commercial awareness and work readiness.
- Working with the industry to accredit and support courses and institutions that meet industry standards including establishing Skillset Academies in TV and interactive media.
- Developing a Qualifications Strategy focusing on film, TV and interactive media which will cover provision and progression opportunities for all learners including pre 16, 14-19, Higher Education, new entrants and the existing workforce.
- UK film productions have contributed over £1.2m to the SIF training levy. The levy is currently voluntary but following an industry wide consultation will become mandatory in 2007 establishing the Skillset Industry Training Board - the first ITB in more than 15 years.
-ENDS-
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE:
Eve Ragout
020 7520 5752 / 07968 010 325
eve@skillset.org
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. Audio visual industries in this context means, Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging. Sector Skills Councils (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.
The Skills for Business network is made up of 25 Sector Skills Councils - each one is an employer-led, independent organisation. The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) underpins the network and is responsible for funding, supporting and monitoring the SSCs.
