Cultural heritage sector launches workforce plan with £500,000 funding commitment
An unprecedented partnership of three sector-led organisations today announced the launch of a new action plan for the UK cultural heritage sector - The Cultural Heritage Blueprint: A workforce development plan for cultural heritage in the UK.
The Blueprint has been spearheaded by Creative & Cultural Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries, with a leadership role from the Museums Association and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), and in consultation with the sector across the UK.
The plan identifies a series of actions and recommendations to ensure the people who work in the cultural heritage sector are recruited and trained to the highest standards. UK cultural heritage is a world leader, last year contributing £1.01 billion to the UK economy, an increase from £952 million in 2006 . The plan aims to ensure the continued future success of the industry.
One key finding is the need to increase entry-routes into the sector and ensure the workforce reflects the diversity of the UK. Over 50 per cent of those currently working in cultural heritage have a higher qualification, for example an MA or Phd. To address this finding, the MLA in England have committed £500,000 to fund new Creative Apprenticeships to ensure young people from a range of backgrounds are given the opportunity to work in the sector.
The funding will enable Creative & Cultural Skills to launch up to 50 Creative Apprenticeships across England predominately in the museum sector from 2009 onwards.
This new funding is in addition to £100,000 already given by the MLA which has supported ten Apprentices within museums in England.
The Creative Apprenticeship will ensure future employees are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge required to be successful, whilst meeting the staffing needs of employers to ensure on-going success for their business and the industry as a whole.
In addition, the MLA are making available tuition fees for up to 20 candidates to undertake Foundation Degrees. This measure will specifically assist people already in the sector.
Jane Glaister, Strategic Director of Culture, Tourism and Sport at City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, chair of the cultural heritage advisory panel and trustee of Creative & Cultural Skills explains:
“This plan outlines the action needed to ensure the cultural heritage workforce is equipped with the right skills to enable the industry to grow. The funding commitment from the MLA enabling the launch of 50 Creative Apprenticeships next year demonstrates the sector’s commitment to ensuring that the UK remains a world leader. We need to invest in our creative and cultural industries – one of the success stories of the UK economy - and what better way than investing in the next generation that aspire to work in these industries.”
Barbara Follet, Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism made the announcement of the £500,000 pledge at the launch at London Transport Museum and said:
“This initiative is good news for the museum world. It is also a terrific opportunity for those keen to work within it, but who lack the experience to get started. Apprenticeships are a great way of bridging the gap between enthusiastic young people and a sector crying out for new talent in the workforce.”
Roy Clare, Chief Executive, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council adds:
“Current economic circumstances emphasise the urgent need to invest in the cultural workforce in Britain. The MLA is fully committed to creating more training opportunities, nurturing creativity and improving diversity. These newly-funded Apprenticeships offer a real opportunity for museums in particular, but also for other cultural sector bodies, to engage young people and develop talent. In addition, we are committed to exploring with employers the benefits of Foundation Degrees and how they will support leadership and build investment.”
Mark Taylor, Director, Museums Association said of the Cultural Heritage Blueprint:
“This is a watershed. For too long the cultural heritage sector has devoted more investment in objects and buildings than in people and, even when it has prioritised the workforce, there has been no overall philosophy and strategy. Things have been changing over the last ten years and this strategy shows how far we have come. Now we have to make it happen.”
Nearly a third of the UK’s cultural heritage sector is in London. The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:
"I'm a huge supporter of Apprenticeships, and hope many young Londoners will have the opportunity to work and train in our city's world class museums and play a crucial role in preserving our valuable cultural heritage. It's vital we continue to nurture creative talent, even in these difficult economic times, so that London remains a thriving cultural city for generations to come."
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For more information on this press release, spokespeople, interviews and photographs please contact Jessica Benson, Marketing & PR Co-ordinator on 0207 015 1800 or email jessica.benson@ccskills.org.uk
Notes to editors
Creative & Cultural Skills
Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries. Our remit covers the areas of: advertising, crafts, cultural heritage, design, music, and performing, literary and visual arts. For more information visit: www.ccskills.org.uk
Licensed by government in June 2005, Creative & Cultural Skills is one of 25 Sector Skills Councils, known collectively as the Skills for Business Network, to oversee the strategic development of the workforce in our industries and deliver realistic solutions to skills needs.
Our Chairman is Tony Hall CBE and our Chief Executive is Tom Bewick. Both founded the organisation from scratch in 2004. Our remit is UK-wide. Wales is represented by Judith Isherwood, Chief Executive of the Wales Millennium Centre. Scotland is represented by John Stalker, Chief Executive of Festival City Theatres. Northern Ireland is represented by Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of Arts Council Northern Ireland.
The Cultural Heritage Blueprint is accessible for download from www.ccskills.org.uk from 11 December.
The Creative Apprenticeship is designed as a single framework with different areas of specialisation. Applicants will work towards either a Level 2 Creative Apprenticeship (equivalent to 5 GCSEs A*-C grade standard) or Level 3 (equivalent to 3 A-Levels standard). Qualifications that form the Creative Apprenticeship framework are:
- A vocational qualification - National Awards at Levels 2 and 3 in six pathways
- A knowledge based qualification - Certificate in Creative and Cultural Practice
- Key skills (includes literacy and numeracy)
- Employment rights and responsibilities
Training will take place in the workplace with some off the job learning as well. Apprentices will meet regularly for training days.
Apprentices will follow one of six learning pathways:
- Community Arts Management
- Cultural and Heritage Venue Operations
- Live Events and Promotion
- Music Business (Recording Industry)
- Technical Theatre (Costume and Wardrobe)
- Technical Theatre (Rigging, Lighting & Sound)
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) are funding the training aspect of the Creative Apprenticeship. To find out more information about Creative Apprenticeships visit: www.creative-choices.co.uk/apprenticeships or www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Museums Association
The Museums Association (MA) is an independent membership organisation representing museums and galleries in the UK and people who work for them. The Association has over 5,000 individual members and 600 institutional members. These institutional members encompass around 1500 museums in the UK ranging from the largest government-funded national museums to small volunteer-run charitable trust museums.
Formed in 1889, it is a charity, receiving no regular government funding, which seeks to inform, represent and develop museums and people who work for them in order that they may provide a better service to society and the public.