Creative Skillset calls on industry to complete 2015 census

Creative Skillset, the semi-public funded skills development body for the creative industries, is calling up the UK's games industry to complete its latest industry census, which it hopes will provide a complete picture of the make-up of the country's industry workforce.

Submissions for the census, which can be completed here, open today, with a closing date of October 30.

"This crucial piece of work helps the creative sectors in the UK stay informed about the industry, including key occupations, working patterns, gender and ethnicity," reads the accompanying press release. Findings from the census also inform government and industry policy and co-investment in developing the skills of people working in these sectors.

"The results of the census enable companies, training and education providers, policy makers and individuals to see the key issues affecting the creative media industries and inform decisions on how and where to invest in skills and training.

"By completing the 2015 census you will directly influence how Creative Skillset deploys co-investment from government and industry to train and develop people working in the Games industry."

The survey runs across all creative sectors, including film, television and radio. When it was last run, in 2012, the results revealed that the percentage of black, asian and minority ethnicity employees within the creative industries had fallen to just five per cent. Women represented 36 per cent of the workforce, a nine percent gain from 2009.

"The Creative Skillset 2015 Census is a unique and immensely valuable opportunity to give an accurate overview of the creative media industries in the UK today," said Creative Skillset CEO Dinah Caine CBE. "The findings will help us develop ways to make the sector more accessible whilst remaining highly competitive in the global market."