Escalating skills gap anticipated in the creative economy sector throughout the UK due to recent studies
The Creative PEC, a research centre supporting the growth of the UK's Creative Industries, has published a new report titled "Creative Further Education in the four UK nations: 2024." The report, prepared by education specialists Work Advance and funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), highlights both the potential and challenges in the current state of creative further education (FE) participation across the four UK nations.
The report reveals a significant decline in creative FE enrolment over the past decade. In England, there has been a 57% drop in creative subject FE enrolment for individuals aged 19+ between 2014/15 and 2022/23. Meanwhile, in Wales, there has been a 68% drop in creative learning at FE institutions between 2012/13 to 2022/23. The decline is across a range of subjects, including a 68% drop in 'performing arts' FE participation in England and a 52% drop in 'languages, literature and culture' in England.
Further education colleges play a crucial role in preparing young creative talent with industry-level skills and work experience, which are key for transitioning into creative careers. However, FE colleges face significant funding pressures, which hinder their ability to provide up-to-date courses and necessary resources such as design software and skilled teachers.
The sector has seen an 18% decline in recommended salary levels for FE teachers from 2010 to 2023, causing many experienced educators to leave, which affects course quality and availability. There is recognition of the need for a curriculum that equips young people with creativity and skills relevant to the job market, including through initiatives like the refreshed UK-wide £9 million Creative Careers Service, which aims to provide better career guidance and industry engagement.
In the creative industries, inadequate career guidance is a significant barrier for young people due to limited awareness of pathways, scarce resources for advisors, and weak connections between education and industry. The government has invested £3 million to expand the Creative Careers Programme to improve young people's exposure to creative workplaces and career pathways.
Ensuring quality and accessible FE in creative subjects is critical to meet growing industry demands and capitalize on this job growth, especially in high-growth regions. Oxford Economics estimates that with increased investment (20% above 2019 levels), the Creative Industries could create 300,000 new jobs and generate a substantial economic contribution of £132.1 billion in gross value added (GVA) by 2025. The sector already supports 3.5 million jobs (over 1 in 10 UK jobs) and had a combined economic footprint of £178 billion in 2019.
Strengthening FE provision, improving industry connections, and enhancing career pathways are essential to fully realize the predicted expansion of creative jobs across the UK nations. The report provides recommendations on how best to support the creative sector across four thematic areas, with regular reports on each area to be published annually over the five years of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding period.
Creative FE remains highly concentrated in more urban cities and regions, with limited provision in rural areas. The Creative PEC works with a diverse range of industry partners and the research team and spokespeople for the Creative PEC are available for comment and interview.
In conclusion, investment in creative further education and skills development is a key driver for unlocking the forecasted growth of 300,000 new creative jobs by 2025, but addressing existing barriers in FE participation and guidance remains critical. The report "Creative Further Education in the four UK nations: 2024" is the fourth in the Creative PEC's 'State of the Nations' series. Press contacts for the report are Alice Kent (Monday-Wednesday) and Sarah Abley (Wednesday - Friday).
- The report, titled "Creative Further Education in the four UK nations: 2024," highlights the decline in creative further education (FE) enrolment over the past decade across the UK nations.
- In England, there has been a 57% drop in creative subject FE enrolment for individuals aged 19+ between 2014/15 and 2022/23, while in Wales, there has been a 68% drop in creative learning at FE institutions between 2012/13 and 2022/23.
- Further education colleges play a crucial role in preparing young creative talent with industry-level skills and work experience, but they face significant funding pressures, which hinder their ability to provide up-to-date courses and necessary resources.
- The sector has seen an 18% decline in recommended salary levels for FE teachers from 2010 to 2023, causing many experienced educators to leave, affecting course quality and availability.
- There is a recognition of the need for a curriculum that equips young people with creativity and skills relevant to the job market, including through initiatives like the refreshed UK-wide £9 million Creative Careers Service.
- In the creative industries, inadequate career guidance is a significant barrier for young people, and the government has invested £3 million to expand the Creative Careers Programme to improve young people's exposure to creative workplaces and career pathways.
- Ensuring quality and accessible FE in creative subjects is critical to meet growing industry demands and capitalize on job growth, especially in high-growth regions.
- Strengthening FE provision, improving industry connections, and enhancing career pathways are essential to fully realize the predicted expansion of creative jobs across the UK nations.
- Investment in creative further education and skills development is a key driver for unlocking the forecasted growth of 300,000 new creative jobs by 2025, but addressing existing barriers in FE participation and guidance remains critical.
