MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Creative Skillset is once again giving the creative media industries the chance to stand up and be counted with our first census of the sector since 2009 being held on 4 July this year.
This critical piece of work helps to keep our sector and key decision makers informed about the impact of the current economic climate on our industries, as well as the emergence of important demographic issues.
The last census in 2009 revealed that the representation of women was substantially lower in computer games (6%) than across the wider creative media (27%). The proportion of women in the sector stands at its lowest since Creative Skillset started measuring its size and shape so the 2012 census is very important in monitoring if situation has improved.
Using the 2009 census data we were also able to work with UK Screen to submit evidence to the Migration Advisory Committee on job role shortages in the VFX industry, which resulted in them continuing to classify 12 VFX-related job roles as official shortage areas and adding five new ones.
This has allowed our VFX industry to remain the fastest-growing segment of the UK film industry despite a shortage of skilled graduates from the UK.
These are just two examples of how the census helps Creative Skillset and policy makers to determine where skills gaps are emerging, and tailor solutions accordingly.
The census, which has been running since 1999, is the only project of its kind for creative media in the UK, and provides a far more accurate and detailed picture of our industries than official data sources.
Our census is directed by an industry-led research committee and therefore captures information that is of particular importance to them.
The results of our census are shared freely throughout the sector, allowing employers, training and education providers, policy makers and individuals alike to see the key issues affecting the creative media industries and inform decisions on how and where to invest in skills and talent.
Creative Skillset will use these findings to develop products and services, and ensure criteria for investment are in keeping with the industry requirements.
We urge all employers to take the short time out of their day to complete the census on 4 July, or as soon after as possible. If you haven’t already received a hard copy of the form in the mail, you can request it from Anna Chourdaki (anna.chourdaki@creativeskillset.org; 020 7713 9820) or fill in the online form at www.creativeskillset.org/census
