LOBBY group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says the government needs to take urgent action to ensure the education system meets the skills needs of the creative sector.
The CBI’s North West director Damian Waters says the sector could help lead Britain out of recession. A new CBI report shows it could employ 1.3m people by 2013, making it almost as big as the financial services sector.
But Mr Waters says the sector could be held back unless schools and colleges produce young people with the skills needed by creative and digital firms.
The CBI suggests that the Department for Education should:
Ensure that all young people continue studying maths post-16 at a level appropriate to them.
Introduce an automatic opt-in to triple science GCSE for the most able pupils.
Support the introduction of higher level computer programming and software development courses.
Include 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.
Work with employers to promoting best practice on business-school collaboration
Mr Waters 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 in Salford. 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.
“First and foremost we must ensure that all young people leave school with a strong grasp of the basics. Solid maths and science ability is particularly vital.
“These companies also expect a more detailed knowledge of IT and benefit from people with broader creative skills, so the Government must adapt the curriculum to meet these needs.”
Mr Waters said creative and digital firms should work with colleges and universities.
And he said the Government should also promote apprenticeships as a way for young people to find work in the sector.
Mr Waters said: “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 realities and 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.”
