Transferable skills
It is not new to hear that the creative industries need to raise their skills base in order to sustain and grow business.
There is compelling evidence to suggest that strategic business skills and enterprising capabilities are lacking within the creative industries. In addition, there is evidence that existing vocational qualifications are not sufficient for the needs of employers within the creative sector.
Charles Leadbeater, an independent author and adviser on innovation and creativity, agrees that Britain’s cultural industries rely on small businesses, which are under capitalised, under managed and frequently under stress. (Britain’s Creativity Challenge - Creative & Cultural Skills, 2006).
The promotion and encouragement of enterprise skills - for example the ability to use initiative, take creative risks, make ideas happen - could be key to helping small creative businesses thrive. Enterprise skills are particularly important as they are transferable, enhancing any young person’s long-term career prospects, whether it is within the creative industries or beyond.
Leadbeater supports this notion by saying "the capacity for creativity – to work in teams, to mix new and old ideas, to identify problems and think laterally to find new solutions, is increasingly important in all walks of life, in scientific research and public administration as much as in the creative and cultural industries. These industries are vital in promoting the skills and experience that breeds this wider capacity for creativity" (Britain’s Creativity Challenge - Creative & Cultural Skills, 2006).
Sector Skills Councils
To find out more about the UK skills agenda, check out the leading sector skills councils:
skillset.org Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries (broadcast, film, video, interactive media and photo imaging).
ccskills.org.uk Creative and Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for advertising, crafts, cultural heritage, design, music, performing, literary and visual arts.
skillfast-uk.org Skillfast-UK is the Sector Skills Council for apparel, footwear, textiles and related businesses.