Working in partnership with Creative & Cultural Skills, UK Music has launched an online industry-wide Skills Audit in a bid to understand, evaluate and anticipate potential skills gaps across the commercial music sector.

The Skills Audit is accessible here, and will also be profiled in Music Week. The results of the Skills Audit will be used to help meet recommendations on skills and training made in Liberating Creativity, UK Music’s recently-published manifesto for the commercial music sector. Key recommendations include ensuring that music companies, particularly micro-businesses, have the requisite skills to effectively compete in the current commercial music market, and that music companies can attract a diverse and highly-skilled incoming workforce. Apprenticeships are also a key priority.

Explaining the thinking behind the initiative, Feargal Sharkey, Chief Executive of UK Music, said:

“Improving access to skills and training was one of the key recommendations made by UK Music in Liberating Creativity. For the long-term development of our commercial sector, it is crucial that existing companies, and particularly micro-businesses, can survive and compete in an ever-evolving digital marketplace. Meanwhile, it is equally vital that those young people who aspire to work in our industry are diverse, highly-skilled and have under their belts a wide range of practical experience.

The Skills Audit is a first step to achieving this goal. To take a snapshot of where the industry is in 2010, and where we need to go in the next decade. I know the members of UK Music are fully behind this, and I urge all those from freelancers to CEOs to take ten minutes to complete this survey.”

Caroline Felton, Chief Executive, Creative & Cultural Skills said:

‘We are extremely pleased to support the music industry through this important partnership with UK Music. This research is vital to get a clear understanding of the specific skills the industry needs. We can then make the case to Government to support these skills needs better, and ensure that this crucial sector continues to thrive long-term.’

The initiative has already attracted support from across the industry.

Ged Doherty, Chairman Sony Music Entertainment UK & Ireland:

“The most valuable asset of any company is its people. We hope this audit will inform a clear skills agenda and help identify areas where we can work together to champion and support further skills development throughout our industry."

Alison Wenham, Chief Executive and Chairman of AIM, and Trustee, Creative & Cultural Skills:

"Changes across the industry have meant that everyone’s roles have been altered to one extent or another, plus new skills are needed in the digital age. If we can guarantee that all those working in the business receive the level of training they need and deserve, we can guarantee the future success of the industry."

Jim Thomas, Longhouse Management and MMF Educational Committee:

“Developing people is fundamental to building a successful business. The Skills Audit is an essential tool in helping the music industry to ensure the we have the right people, in the right jobs, at the right time; helping us to maximise the opportunities the digital age offers the whole music industry.”

Take part in the survey

ENDS

For further information please contact Catherine Large, Director, External Relations at Creative & Cultural Skills: 020 7015 1828, Catherine.Large@ccskills.org.uk.