Creative Industries Council endorses action on skills

Creative & Cultural Skills is delighted to report that a united effort to urge action on skills and training in the creative industries has been adopted by the Creative Industries Council and endorsed by Government.

The Creative Industries Council, which is co-chaired by Business Secretary Vince Cable and Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, met for the second time this week to discuss what needs to be done to realise the full growth potential of the UK’s creative industries.

An employer working group on skills, including Skillset, Creative & Cultural Skills and e-skills, delivered a report which made a series of recommendations for both industry and Government to improve the training and talent development of people working within the creative industries.

The report says the structure of the sector, with the prevalence of SMEs and micro-enterprises, freelancers and project-based work, has led to an under-investment in developing skills, fewer training opportunities and a lack of structured career progression. The working group said this needs to change for industry to fulfil its ambitions for growth.

Pauline Tambling, Joint CEO of Creative & Cultural Skills and member of the working group said: 'We are delighted that there has been such as positive response to our report. There are many initiatives, such as our Creative Apprenticeships programme and Creative Choices, featured in the report, which can play a key role in supporting the skills needs of the sector. It is extremely helpful to have recognition and endorsement from the relevant Secretaries of State in this work’.

The meeting was also attended by Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey, Skills Minister John Hayes and Schools Minister Nick Gibb.

The full press release from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport can be found here.