The Significance of Advanced and Progressive Academic Learning

The creative industries in the UK are poised for substantial economic and social growth, with projections indicating that they could generate around £132 billion in Gross Value Added by 2025 and create up to 300,000 new jobs. However, this potential relies heavily on increased investment, particularly in skills development, which includes creative higher and further education.

This is according to a panel of Industry Champions, trusted and respected practitioners from various parts of the creative industries across the UK. The panel, chaired by Caroline Julian, Director of Policy and Programmes at the Creative Industries Federation, emphasised the essential role of creative education in unlocking the sector's substantial potential.

The panel's insights were presented in a paper titled "The value of creative higher and further education", published on October 2nd, 2019, by Eliza Easton, Founder of Erskine Analysis and previously Deputy Director at the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC).

The PEC, which conducted the research on the value of creative education, also consulted the Industry Champions for their deep industry knowledge. The outcomes of the panel and additional research from the PEC will be fed into both the ministerial team and the Office for Students (OfS).

The panel highlighted the need to address gaps in awareness and accessibility in creative career pathways, especially for young people from less advantaged backgrounds. This includes improving careers advice, creative apprenticeships, and investment in creative education at schools and colleges to make creative careers more achievable.

Practical, hands-on learning approaches in creative colleges are highly valued as they better prepare students with the specific skills needed for roles in design, media, technology, gaming, and other creative sectors, helping to meet the rising demand for skilled professionals.

Despite the significant contribution of the creative sector to the UK economy—larger than aerospace, life sciences, automotive, and oil combined—public perception remains mixed. This highlights the ongoing need to promote the value of creative education as a driver for innovation and economic development.

The UK television production sector is one of Britain's leading creative export sectors, as outlined in a separate policy brief. The creative industries policy landscape is rich and diverse, with policy briefs focusing on areas such as audiences, workforce, sustainability, and international trade.

The outcomes of the panel will be used to inform relevant policy commissions, the Department for Education, and All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs). Examples of APPGs include Yvette Cooper's Commission for Workers and Technology, Estelle Morris's Lifelong Learning Commission, and the APPG for students, chaired by Paul Blomfield MP.

Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation Gavin Williamson MP has expressed concerns about students getting 'value for money' in their education. The panel's findings underscore that investing in creative higher and further education is critical for sustaining the UK’s creative industries’ expansion, addressing skills shortages, and improving social equity in access to creative careers. Practical, specialized education pathways foster the sector’s talent pipeline and enable the creative economy’s projected growth.

[References] Easton, E (2019) The value of creative higher and further education. London: Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre. Available from: https://www.our website/policy-briefings/insights-from-our-industry-champions-the-value-of-creative-higher-and-further-education

The creative industries in the UK, with their potential to generate £132 billion in Gross Value Added and create up to 300,000 new jobs, heavily rely on increased investment, particularly in skills development.
A panel of Industry Champions, representing various parts of the creative industries across the UK, emphasized the essential role of creative education in unlocking the sector's potential.
The panel's insights were presented in a paper titled "The value of creative higher and further education," published by Eliza Easton, Founder of Erskine Analysis.
The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) conducted the research on the value of creative education, also consulting the Industry Champions for their deep industry knowledge.
The panel's findings, along with additional research from the PEC, will be fed into both the ministerial team and the Office for Students (OfS).
The panel highlighted the need to address gaps in awareness and accessibility in creative career pathways, particularly for young people from less advantaged backgrounds.
Practical, hands-on learning approaches in creative colleges are highly valued as they better prepare students with the specific skills needed for roles in design, media, technology, gaming, and other creative sectors.
Despite the significant contribution of the creative sector to the UK economy, public perception remains mixed, underscoring the ongoing need to promote the value of creative education.
The UK television production sector is one of Britain's leading creative export sectors, as outlined in a separate policy brief, while the creative industries policy landscape is rich and diverse.
The outcomes of the panel will be used to inform relevant policy commissions, the Department for Education, and All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs), such as Yvette Cooper's Commission for Workers and Technology, Estelle Morris's Lifelong Learning Commission, and the APPG for students.
Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation Gavin Williamson MP has expressed concerns about students getting 'value for money' in their education. However, the panel's findings underscore that investing in creative higher and further education is critical for sustaining the UK’s creative industries’ expansion, addressing skills shortages, and improving social equity in access to creative careers.