Download Spotlight on Creative Industries

Spotlight on Creative Industries
Creative Industries covers a wide range of sectors and
jobs. You could be working in a high tech role in
computer games production, interactive media, social
network and web development, digital post production
in Films or on Dr Who, or you could be working in a
more traditional creative role in the performing arts,
writing or art and design.
Did you know?
• 1/3 of all Creative jobs in
Wales are based in Cardiff.
• 68% of the Welsh creative
workforce hold a degree level
qualification.
So what’s involved?
Creative Industries is probably the most glamourous of sectors but this makes it fiercely
competitive. It is also one of the most innovative industries, linked directly to the rapid
development of digital technologies and the growth of the internet and online world.
The UK Creative Industry is the largest in Europe and contributes nearly 8% of the UK’s
economy.
(Source:Creative Industries Sector Assessment- WAG)
The sector is important to Wales; 4% of the total UK creative workforce is employed in
Wales.
• There are in the region of
3,600 businesses in Wales
within the creative industries.
• 29% of Creative workers are
women.
• By 2017 there will be 7,000
more creative jobs in Wales;
half of these will be new jobs
due to growth in the industry.
(Source:Creative Blueprint Summary Wales June 2008: Creative & Cultural Skills)
Creative Industries is a growing sector. It makes up 7.3% of the Welsh economy and is
growing twice as fast as the economy as a whole. The Welsh Government has identified the
Creative Industries as one of its original 6 key sectors that will drive future business growth in
Wales.
Creative and Cultural Industries tend to be centred on capital cities. Cardiff dominates the
industry in Wales, with 30% of all Welsh Creative jobs based in Cardiff, which is similar to the
percentage of English Creative jobs based in London. The development of the BBC Wales
‘drama village’ in Cardiff Bay will build on the success that national productions like Dr Who
have brought to Wales. The village will be completed towards the end of 2011, and in 2012
productions will include Dr Who and Pobol Y Cwm.
The workforce in the Creative Industries is highly skilled and quite young. Nearly half of all
Creative workers are under the age of 35 and 68% hold a degree level qualification.
Tip
Do your research – a strong
understanding of the industry you
are interested in will give you the
edge over other applicants
(Source: Strategic Skills Assessment for Wales 2010: www.skillset.org)
Useful links
What does the future hold?
Over the last 20 years the UK’s Creative Industry has grown by 4% per year compared to
3% for the rest of the economy.
(Source: The Heart of Digital Wales: a review of Creative Industries for the Welsh Assembly Government)
The sector remains relatively resilient to the recession and forecasts predict significant
growth in the number of jobs – 7,000 more people by 2017 in Wales (150,000 more across
the UK).
(Source: Creative Blueprint Summary Wales June 2008: Creative & Cultural Skills)
Performing Arts weblinks
Design, Arts and Crafts weblinks
BBC Careers
SkillSet
Creative & Cultural Skills
Prospects
Across the UK nearly half, 49%, of the workforce are in associate professional and technical
roles (jobs which have specialist skills and usually a high level vocational qualification) This
(Source:Sector Skills Agreement for the Creative and Cultural Industries, February
is where much of the growth will be.
2010 )
Half of future jobs will require a degree level qualification.
The industry has high numbers of freelancers, part-time workers and self-employment, not only actors and musicians, but also
animators, radio production and television staff. As it becomes more competitive and costs are cut, jobs are less likely to be fulltime or permanent.
In Wales, employers generally do not have problems recruiting; only 4% experienced difficulty in filling vacancies. This is far lower
than the UK average (24%) for the industry.
Spotlight on Creative Industries 1 In January 2011 the Welsh Government announced a fund of £4.5 million to support
training in the Creative Industries in West Wales and the Valleys. This will help workers
and businesses keep up with new technologies and develop management, technical and
craft skills.
What about Creative Graduates?
The rate of employment of students graduating from Art & Design, Media Studies and
Performing Arts courses in 2010 was higher than the average for all subjects; however,
the unemployment rate from these subjects was also higher. Fewer graduates go on to
further study or training from the creative subjects More graduates from Design Studies
were self employed than from any other degree course:
Subject
% in employment
% unemployed
Performing Arts
64.1%
8.7%
Media Studies
67.1%
14.1%
Art & Design
67.2%
11.3%
All Subjects
62.2%
8.5%
Find out more
For more information and advice
about working in the Creative
Industries:
•
Talk to your Careers Adviser
•
Use your school or college
library
•
Use your local Careers Centre
library
•
Ring 0800 100 900
What jobs could I do?
Jobs range from the high tech roles in computer games production, interactive media, social network web development and digital
post production in Films and TV to the more traditional creative roles such as musicians, artists, writers, broadcasters and actors
as well as architects and librarians. Here are just some of the jobs you could consider:
TV & Radio
Choreographer
Stunt Artist
Sound Engineer
Runner
Script Supervisor / Editor
Sound / Lighting Engineer
Production Assistant
Performing Arts
Actor
Agent
Musician
Dancer
Stage Door Assistant
•
•
Studio and equipment hire
Rigger
Crane Operator
Genny Operator
Gaffer
Apprentice Lighting Technician
Animation & Computer games
Game Designer / Programmer
Artist – computer games
•
•
QA Tester
Animators
3D Games Artist
•
•
•
Art, Design & Publishing
Architect
Graphic Designer
Artist
Journalist
Proof Reader
Textile Designer
Copy Editor
Photo-imaging & Post production
Photographer
Library Assistant
Edit Assistant
Colourist
Audio Dubbing Assistant
Social Networking
Tweet Editor
Blogger
Do you know what these jobs involve? Click on them to see, or you might miss out on a job you’d really like!
2 Spotlight on Creative Industries Where could I work?
Creative Industries cover the following sectors:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Advertising
Animation
Architecture
Arts & Literature
Computer Games
Crafts
Design
Facilities (which includes post production, studio
equipment hire, support services for Film & TV etc…)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Film
Interactive Media
Music
Performing Arts
Publishing
Social Networking
Software
Textiles & Fashion Design
TV & Radio
The sectors that employ the most people in Wales are Interactive Media (approximately 4,000 people), Cultural Heritage
including libraries, museums, botanical gardens and other cultural attractions (4,000), Television (3,500), Performing Arts
(Sources: Strategic Skills Assessment for Wales 2010:www.skillset.org
(2,400), Design (2,100) and Publishing (2,000).
NOMIS Business Register and Employment Survey 2009)
Approximate number of people employed in the Creative Industries in Wales
What skills do I need?
The Creative workforce is highly qualified; 68% of the workers hold the equivalent of a degree qualification. The training or
course you need will depend on the job you want. Talk to your Careers Adviser and check the entry requirements for your
chosen career.
Spotlight on Creative Industries 3 In the Creative Industries you are likely to be working in a dynamic workplace where you will need to be able to work well
under pressure and be able to think on your feet.
You will also need some or all of the following:
•
lots of self-confidence
•
the ability to network and build your own contacts
•
enthusiasm, commitment and persistence
•
creativity and imagination
•
originality
•
appropriate technical ability depending on the job – e.g. graphic design, electronics, light and lens work and digital
technology etc.
•
excellent communication and networking skills
•
a willingness to work long, irregular hours when necessary
•
the ability to work as part of a team, with people from many different disciplines e.g. sound engineer who can work with
musicians or film animators
•
flexibility and adaptability in a fast-changing world of technology
•
the ability to work to pressurised deadlines
Do I need Welsh language skills?
In many of the sectors of the Creative Industries particularly in Media, broadcasting and TV, Welsh Language skills are
particularly important. 29% of the creative workforce is Welsh speaking. So being bi-lingual could help you get a job.
Skills in demand
Whilst in many areas of the creative industries competition for jobs is fierce and more people apply than there are jobs. The
following roles are in short supply:
•
Broadcast Engineering
•
Visual Effects (VFX)
•
Graphic design roles in advertising and design businesses
•
Skilled Archeologists
•
Visitor Relations Occupations in the Cultural Heritage Industry eg. Museums
•
Design and textile technology in the Fashion Industry.
(Source: Strategic Skills Assessment for the Creative Industries, January 2010)
What can I earn?
.
Freelance work, short term contracts and self employment are common in the Creative Industries so salaries can vary
enormously, particularly if you set up your own business.
Wages can be low – 62% of the industry earns less than £20,000 while 1 in 10 earns more than £41,000.
(Source: Sector Skills Agreement for the Creative and Cultural Industries, February 2010)
BBC Journalist Trainee
Graphic Designer Starting Salary
Senior Graphic Designer
4 Spotlight on Creative Industries £18,903
£14,000 – £22,000
£30,000-£65,000
Trainee Textile Designer
Textile Designer (4 years experience)
Photographer
Television Production Assistant
Freelance Production Assistant (Guideline Rate)
Director of BBC Wales
Runner
Runner Internship
Employed Orchestral Musician
Freelance Solo Musician
Architect (senior/associate/partner level)
£13,000-£15,000
£20,000-£25,000
£25,000-£65,000+
£14,000 -£25,000
£481 per week (Broadcasting Union BETCU)
£185,000 (Guardian 2009)
£7-8 per hour (recommended freelance rate)
Voluntary with no salary but costs may be paid e.g. travel
& accommodation
£22,000-£45,000
£16,000-£18,000
£35,000 - £80,000
What do I need to do?
It’s really important to try and gain as many contacts as possible especially in the media industry. Much of the recruitment for
jobs is informal so knowing those who employ or hire is important. Remember that you might have to work for nothing to get a
foot into some industries e.g. helping out in a music studio, making coffee on a film set, getting an internship on a fashion
magazine.
Keep the work or a record of the work that you have done. This means keeping a portfolio of art work, copies of dvd’s you’ve
produced, websites or blogs you’ve created, articles you’ve written on the internet or had printed, a record of productions
you’ve danced, sung or acted in. You’ll need this evidence to help you get a job!
From reading this, you will now know that you need to get as qualified as possible to get into this sector. Remember that it’s
not just university that could be an option. Apprenticeships and vocational courses could also be available. When you’re ready
to think about getting qualified click Courses in Wales which has links to a variety of training, work based and further education
opportunities in your area. If you want to find out about apprenticeships and see what’s available click on Apprenticeship
Matching Service. So, take the time to research and give yourself the edge!
Research, research, research! You wouldn’t download music without sampling first. One of the biggest keys to your success
is to know as much as you can about the work you’re interested in. Ask friends and family if they know anyone that works in
creative jobs and speak to them. Speaking to a Careers Adviser can really help, especially once you’ve done lots of research!
This website can help get your research underway! Click the links under What Jobs Could I Do for information about getting
into different jobs in this industry as well as the weblinks under Useful Links.
Don’t forget, one of the 3 main reasons employers give for not employing applicants is lack of work experience. So, if you
want to wow your employer with your knowledge and practical experience and get the advantage you need, start finding out
about Work Experience opportunities.
Sources of Information
Creative Industries Sector Assessment, Welsh Assembly Government
Sector Skills Agreement for the Creative and Cultural Industries, February 2010:www.ccskills.org.uk
Strategic Skills Assessment for the Creative Industries, January 2010: Creative & Cultural Skills/Skillset
Strategic Skills Assessment for Wales 2010: www.skillset.org
What do Graduates do? 2010
Creative Blueprint Summary Wales June 2008: Creative & Cultural Skills
The Heart of Digital Wales: a review of Creative Industries for the Welsh Assembly Government
NOMIS Business Register and Employment Survey 2009
ONS Neighbourhood Statistics Dec 2010
NOMIS, Job Centre Plus Vacancies notified by Occupation
Spotlight on Creative Industries 5