Skillset gets Gov't green light to boost skills and talent

Skillset has been fighting the corner for the UK's creative industries this week, and has been charged by the UK Government and the Creative Industries Council to implement a series of initiatives that will help the sector remain a competitive force for the UK's economy.

Working with creative employers, training and education providers and industry organisations, Skillset presented a report to the Creative Industries Council that outlined and identified the key challenges facing the UK's creative sector. In the report, which was fully endorsed by the Council and its decorated Secretaries of State (including Vince Cable and Jeremy Hunt), Skillset outlined a series of initiatives it believes will help the sector to fulfil its potential and grow as a globally competitive industry.

Upon receipt of the report, the Council has asked Skillset to press ahead with some of the steps it has outlined, which includes coordinating bids on behalf of the industry to raise co-investment funds to help realise the strategies and recommendations that were agreed this week.

Skillset presented 17 recommendations to the Council, identifying eight challenges that were of uniform importance throughout the Creative Industries, from 'industry ownership of investment in skills, to the fusion of creative and technical disciplines in education and the need to cut red tape for businesses employing freelancers'.

We are delighted that Skillset was asked to lead the work of this group, and has now been asked to take the lead in making these recommendations a reality," said Dinah Caine, Skillset's Chief Executive. 

“This work will address the key challenges our industries face by fostering the skills and talent they need to remain internationally competitive and a driver of growth in our economy. We now look forward to working with our industries and the Government in realising these ambitions for our sector.”

Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, said: “This is an excellent report. It gives us a clear picture of the issues we face in making sure that those working in our creative industries have the skills needed to drive growth.

“We need to do all we can to develop the talent in our creative businesses.  I urge all involved in the creative industries to take these recommendations on board.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable added: "The UK Creative Industries have a well-deserved world-wide reputation for excellence. This report makes a number of strong recommendations to develop skills and nurture emerging talent in creative industries, particularly through our expanded and improved apprenticeships programme. We look forward to Skillset and others in the creative industries taking this plan forward and implementing it.

"The Government understands the vital role played by smaller firms, especially in the creative industries. We are committed to providing extra help to enable small employers to hire their first apprentices. We'll also continue to develop new advanced and higher-level apprenticeships to deliver the world-class skills individuals and firms need to get ahead."

A full breakdown of the key recommendations outlined by Skillset can be found on their website, and you can follow the lively discussion on Twitter by using the hashtag #cicskills