2010 Creative Media Workforce and Employer Surveys

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, 24 May 2010

Employers and workers are being asked to help Skillset shape the future of the sector by taking part in the largest consultation of the Creative Media Industries.

The 2010 Creative Media Workforce and Employer Surveys, which launch on Monday (24 May), will help Skillset to provide the most comprehensive profile of working life in the UK's Creative Media Industries. They will also provide an assessment of how the industry is faring in the current global economic climate.

Those taking part will be asked about their skills needs, experience of training and recruitment, future plans and working patterns. Findings will be used to directly inform Skillset’s ongoing work with the Creative Media Industries – and make sure they remain a world leader.

They will, for example, help Skillset to pinpoint future training support, issues affecting the sector and spot trends that could lead to skills shortages or over-supply. The Sector Skills Council will tailor interventions and allocate funding to have the most significant immediate benefit to the sector.

Previous examples have included the establishment of a UK-wide network of Screen and Media Academies that provide the highest standard of practical training and industry engagement in Creative Media disciplines, as well as tracking, pinpointing and addressing the skills issues faced by freelancers working throughout the sector.

Skillset’s unparalleled resource of labour market information has also been instrumental in informing debate about broad issues that are affecting our industries.

Skillset’s chief executive, Dinah Caine, said: “These surveys play such an important role for the whole of the Creative Media sector. They directly and quickly shape all of our work with our industries, including planning future training support, pinpointing skills gaps and determining what more we can do to make sure our sector remains a world leader.”

To take part, people should visit www.skillset.org/playyourpart. If you would prefer to be contacted by phone, please email research@skillset.org.

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For more information contact

Skillset press and PR officer Nick Sheridan on 020 713 9854 or nicks@skillset.org

Or

Skillset press and PR manager Jennifer Walters on 0207 713 9854 or jenniferw@skillset.org

Out-of-hours: 07827 989 330.

Notes to Editors:

• Skillset is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the Creative Industries, which comprise TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging, publishing, advertising and fashion and textiles. 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.