CBI calls for help to boost creative industries’ skills

THE North West’s creative industries sector has huge growth potential but risks being held back by a lack of relevant skills, according to the CBI.

A new report from the organisation says that the creative industries sector is expected to employ 1.3 million people by 2013, potentially making it larger than financial services.

However, CBI regional director Damian Waters warns that in order for the sector to meet its potential, urgent action is needed to train people to the required skills levels.

He said: “The North West is at the thumping, beating heart of the UK’s creative industries sector.

“Our 30,000 creative firms already generate £16bn and employ 320,000 people. We believe the sector is going to be supercharged by the arrival of the BBC to Salford.

“So there is huge growth potential here, but the lack of trained people with relevant skills to meet the sector’s specialist demands is holding it back.

The CBI recommends the Department for Education takes a series of actions, including:

•         Ensuring that all young people continue studying maths post-16 at a level appropriate to them
•         Introducing an automatic opt-in to triple science GCSE for the most able pupils
•         Supporting the introduction of higher level computer programming and software development courses
•         Including a creative or technical subject within the specification of the English Baccalaureate such as design and technology, computer studies, music, art and design or drama
•         Promoting best practice alongside employers on business-school collaboration – for example with increased support for the work of Education and Employers Taskforce.
 
Mr Waters added: “As well as getting the basics right at a school level, we want to see greater collaboration between universities and companies so that courses keep up-to-date with the needs of today’s creative industries market.
“It’s also crucial that we continue to develop the skills of the current workforce. Apprenticeships are an important way of achieving this and the Government needs to press ahead with its plans to reduce bureaucracy and break down barriers to entry for smaller firms.”