'Urgent action' needed to boost creative industries skills gap
Thursday, 29 September 2011 09:12
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is calling for urgent action to be taken to boost the UK creative industries sector.
A report from the business group suggests that while the sector will be a key driver of economic recovery, it risks being held back by a lack of relevant skills.
The sector will employ an estimated 1.3 million workers by 2013, and the CBI is calling for a number of changes to be implemented in schools and colleges, which include: ensuring that all young people continue to study maths after the age of 16; introducing an automatic opt-in to a triple science GCSE for the most able pupils; the introduction of higher level computer courses; and including a creative or technical subject within the specification of the English Baccalaureate.
Commenting on the report, CBI Director for Education & Skills, Susan Anderson, said, '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'.
'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.'