Department for Culture Media and Sport
education and skills
Providing a skilled workforce
DCMS is working to ensure that the creative industries thrive, recognising that it is critical to their success that they have access to a skilled workforce and to training.
Key DCMS and wider government schemes for education and skills for the creative industries are:
Creative Partnerships
Creative Partnerships brings school children and their teachers together with creative organisations and individuals to work in partnership on creative projects.
It is a key DCMS programme that aims to animate learning and enrich school life for children and help creative businesses build beneficial relationships with schools.
More information is available on the Creative Partnerships website.
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Creative Industries Education forum
The Creative Industries Higher and Further Education Forum (CIEF) aims to improve the business relationship between higher and further education and the creative industries.
Since September 2001, key representatives from all sectors have met to identify and resolve barriers. The forum last met on 4 July 2006, where a substantial item for discussion was how the forum might play a role in the Creative Economy Programme.
Two task sub-groups have been working to examine the perceived mismatch between graduate skills and the requirements of creative businesses, and to improve the existing level of research and knowledge transfer:
- Entrepreneurship and Skills task group
Chaired by Marilyn Wedgwood, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, the group explored how to promote the development of entrepreneurial skills amongst graduates, and how to avoid skills shortages by aligning the skills supply with the needs of creative companies.
The group have now published their final report, "Developing Entrepreneurship for the Creative Industries”
- Research and Knowledge Transfer task group
Chaired by Philip Esler, Chief Executive of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the group is considering how to improve the existing level of research and knowledge transfer between educational institutions and creative industries at the sectoral and sub-regional level. The group will report on its findings in October 2006.
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Skills
DCMS supports the work the three sector skills councils (SSCs) to ensure fit-for-purpose provision and progression opportunities for all learners – including pre-16 year olds, 16-19 year olds, graduates, new entrants and existing workforce (employees or freelancers).
- Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries in the UK. Skillset works with 10 sectors: film; television; radio; interactive media; computer games; animation; photo imaging; commercials; corporate production; and facilities.
- Creative & Cultural Skills is the newly licensed SSC covering: advertising; crafts; cultural heritage; design; music; performing; visual and literary arts.
- Skillfast UK covers: apparel; footwear; textiles; and related businesses.
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Education and business clusters
We recognise the importance to the creative industries of strong links or “clusters” between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and businesses.
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) have published a report highlighting best practice in this area: "Business Clusters in the UK: A First Assessment" report,
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Film Council Funded Schemes
The Film Council was set up by the DCMS and funds a number of film education and training projects:
- Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for broadcast, film, video, interactive media and photo imaging. Individuals and organisations can apply to Skillset for training grants.
- First Light has enabled over 9,000 young people between the ages of five and 18 to write, act, shoot and produce over 600 films. Organisations can apply for First Light funding.
- British Film Institute provides activities, resources and services for film education.
National Film and Television School (NFTS)
The National Film and Television School is a leading international centre for professional training in the film and television industries. The NFTS website has information about full-time and short courses.
Joinedupdesignforschools "Joinedupdesignforschools" is a project funded by the Sorrell Foundation that demonstrates how design and creativity can improve the quality of life and learning in schools. Further details can be found on the Joinedupdesignforschools website.
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