Creative and media sector skills review

Earlier this year, the Learning & Skills Council undertook a review of skills supply and demand for the creative and media sector in the West Midlands.

Amongst other interesting findings, the review found that employers perceive graduates to lack market-based experience and ‘job readiness’, suggesting that the education sector is struggling to link skills development with economic development to a sufficient degree.

An issue for learners and employers alike also exists due to the ‘oversupply of a myriad of courses’ which results in unclear progression routes for learners and confusion of the ‘value’ of different qualifications for both learners and employers.

The review highlights the opportunities that could potentially be provided to the sector through apprenticeships.

The report uses the Labour Force Survey and Annual Business Inquiry to assess the characteristics of the creative and media workforce in the West Midlands region, including the average level of qualifications held. The review also predicts how employment in the sector is likely to change over the next six years and how this is turn will impact on skills supply and demand.

The executive summary and full review report are now publicly available.