The creative media industries and workforce in Yorkshire and Humber
Size and shape of the workforce
Employment in the creative media industries in Yorkshire and Humber exceeds 24,000 which is around 5% of the entire creative media industries.
Women make up 33% of the creative media workforce in the region and 3% of the workforce is from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background. 4% of the creative media workforce in Yorkshire and Humber is disabled.
A quarter (24%) of those working in the creative media industries in Yorkshire and the Humber are freelancers, compared to 36% across the whole of the UK.
Sector by sector
Animation
Fewer than 100 people work in animation in Yorkshire and Humber according to the 2006 Skillset Census. However that is not to say there is no animation activity in the region. For example, Ay Up! Animated Yorkshire is a newly established network for people involved in animation in Yorkshire and the Humber. It is run by animation people for animation people, and aims to bring together all the disciplines of animation.
Computer Games and Interactive Media
New sectors such as computer games and interactive media have now taken over as major employers in the region with over 700 people working in computer games and interactive media becoming one of the most significant creative media employers in the region, employing 5,600 people.
Film
Over 100 people operating in the key sub-sectors of film production live in Yorkshire and Humber. A strong independent film sector has grown around Leeds. Sheffield has an established and growing independent film sector and is home to the nationally recognised Warp Films and Warp X, the low budget digital production company.
The region has a very strong and well-established exhibition sector and festivals programme. The UK's premiere documentary festival, Doc/Fest, is based in Sheffield. Bradford is home to major film and animation festivals and Leeds offers international children's film festivals. Key independent cinemas include the Showroom in Sheffield and the National Media Museum in Bradford.
In 2007, Yorkshire hosted the International Indian Film Awards (IIFA) bringing key industry figures and huge international exposure to the region.
The Yorkshire Film Archive is one of the UK's most successful and progressive, having recently won major funding to start digitising its archive content.
Other content production
Screen Yorkshire and Yorkshire Forward are working closely with Channel 4 to bring 4IP to Yorkshire. 4IP is collaboration between Channel 4 and a network of partners across the UK and aims to deliver publicly valuable content and services on digital media platforms.
Photo Imaging
Around 2500 people work in photo imaging in the region and over half of these are photographers. Most of the businesses are very small, with over 90% employing just 1-5 people, reflecting the high number of freelancers and sole traders in the sector.
Symbiosis is a Skillset Approved training provider and they have a training facility in Leeds to complement their main base in Leamington Spa.
Publishing
There are nearly 10,500 people working in publishing in the region, approximately five per cent of the total publishing workforce.
The predominant sector is newspaper publishing with strong regional and local presses such as Hull Daily Mail Publications (Northcliffe Media), the Yorkshire Post (Northcliffe) and Metro Yorkshire. The Press Association - one of the leading press agencies - accounts for almost all those working within this sector through their office in Howden. They also have a highly regarded training business and have a range of projects and links with local schools and universities.
Radio
700 individuals work in publicly funded radio, commercial, and community and voluntary radio in Yorkshire and Humber.
There are five BBC local radio stations in the region and approximately 20 commercial radio stations of which Galaxy is the largest.
Community broadcasting is also present in the region including Bradford Community Broadcasting (BCB), one of only 15 radio stations throughout the UK broadcasting a full-time ‘access radio' station licensed by the Radio Authority.
Television
Over 1,800 people work in broadcast TV, cable and satellite and independent production.
The region has a rich history of media production due in part to ITV Yorkshire being based in the region. ITV Yorkshire has a strong drama base, producing Emmerdale and several network dramas including Heartbeat, The Royal and The Royal Today.
The BBC has two main centres in the region BBC Yorkshire and BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Higher Education
In December 2007, the Skillset Media Academy Network was launched. Skillset is working with universities and colleges to collaborate seamlessly with industry partners to develop new curricula, innovative teaching, world-class research and development, and enhanced business acumen. The Yorkshire and Humber Skillset Media Academy is a partnership between Bradford University and East Coast Media.
Data taken from the Skillset 2006 Employment Census, Skillset/UK Film Council Feature Film Production Workforce Survey 2008, Experian 2007, Skillset/Equity Performing Arts Industry Workforce Survey 2005 and LFS 2005. For more information, please visit our Research section.