Craft Blueprint launched
A new action plan to tackle the increasing skills crisis across the heritage and contemporary craft sector has been launched today at a special event at the House of Lords.
This is the first time a skills audit of the craft sector has been undertaken, and the majority of craft employers across the UK were unanimously agreed on a series of actions that can address skills issues.
New research undertaken by Creative & Cultural Skills has identified that craft generates almost £3 billion GVA to the UK economy each year making it the fourth biggest sector (after design, performing arts and music). Given that over 80% of the sector comprises small businesses employing 1-5 people, improving skills is essential to ensure this growth continues in the coming years.
Developed in partnership with the Crafts Council, the Craft Blueprint is the result of wide consultation with the employers in the craft sector across the UK and has been overseen by the Craft Skills Advisory Panel from 2006 – 2009.
At the launch of the document Tom Bewick, Chief Executive, Creative & Cultural Skills said:
“The report came together after three years of extensive research with craft makers and organisations across the UK. Craft has evolved significantly in the past decade but analyses of the sector’s skill needs have been difficult to undertake, and the sector suffers from a lack of understanding and support as a consequence. We’d like to see more people given the opportunity to develop their skill in craft as well as an increased awareness of the various career opportunities. That should include the development of Apprenticeships.”
Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director, Crafts Council said:
“The Crafts Council is committed to making the UK the best place to make, see and collect contemporary craft. We believe that the continual development of skills is vital to enable the sector to thrive. Working in partnership with Creative & Cultural Skills and the crafts sector has been a very positive process. The recommendations are already informing the shape of our own skills development programmes; providing further powerful evidence of the value of craft and demonstrating the importance of craft education at school and higher education level. We look forward to joining with others to put the Blueprint’s recommendations into practice.”
The craft sector has one of the highest employment growth rates (11%) in the creative and cultural industries (according to DCMS between the years 1997 – 2006) and the demand for craft skills has never been higher. Expanding entry routes into the sector, diversifying the workforce and enhancing leadership and professional development are some of the main recommendations in the Blueprint.
Ends
For more information on this press release please contact Jessica Benson on 0207 015 1826 or email jessica.benson@ccskills.org.uk
For more information on the Crafts Council please contact Jill Read on 020 7806 2549 or email media@craftscouncil.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 Crafts Council
The Crafts Council is the national development agency for contemporary crafts. It aims to position the UK as the best place in the world for making, seeing and collecting contemporary craft.
For more information on the Crafts Council please visit www.craftscouncil.org.uk
Download documents
Craft Blueprint Report
Craft Blueprint Report (1726KB Pdf File)
