New report highlights skills gap, freelancer issues

A major new pilot study has provided an in-depth look at the screen sector’s behind-the-camera workforce, pinpointing skills shortages and highlighting issues with freelance workers and social mobility.

The study, from ScreenSkills and 4Skills, and conducted by Ampere Analysis, has been published as part of ScreenSkills’ five-year strategy, to help develop the talent and expertise required to futureproof the UK screen sector.

The research verified that the UK’s off-screen workforce in 2024 was estimated to be between 183,000 and 194,00 people, working behind the camera in animation, children’s programming, film, television (excluding news and sport), VFX and post-production.

Key findings include:
● UK screen industries create jobs for over 190,000 people
● 65% of freelancers have found it hard find work in the past year
● Skills gaps most common in mid-to-senior roles
● Over half of the workforce wish to transition to a similar role in a different production sub-sector, genre or format, or to a new production role
● The workforce has become more diverse but challenges persist – particularly in social mobility

Laura Mansfield, CEO of ScreenSkills, said: “This report provides the clearest picture yet of the size and shape of our screen workforce and the pressures many are facing. It gives us the foundation to shape training and skills policy that truly works for our industry, and strengthens the case for ongoing investment in skills, training and inclusive career development so we can shine a light on the numbers of people involved, and work to support people to build their skills and progress in the industry.

“As part of our new Five-Year Strategy, ScreenSkills is committed to providing the industry with high-quality data and insights like this to help employers, policymakers, training providers and the workforce themselves make informed decisions about how to meet current and future skills needs.”

Kevin Blacoe, head of partnerships and skills at Channel 4 added: “It’s vital to create opportunities for people, regardless of their backgrounds or where they are based, so they can pursue successful, sustainable and exciting careers in our industry – that’s why Channel 4 is investing £10m per year in training and skills, with a particular focus on the Nations and Regions.

“This report will help us ensure our investment is both evidence-based and focused on areas where it will have greatest impact. Working with ScreenSkills and Ampere, we want to identify and tackle skills gaps, ensuring there is career progression so we don’t lose talent from the industry. And we want to make this report an asset available to all so other broadcasters, streamers, producers and industry stakeholders can use it to inform their plans to support and nurture talent throughout the UK.”

In response to the findings, ScreenSkills today makes the following recommendations:

● Strengthen in-work support by expanding the reach of the ScreenSkills Training Passport, to help create a standardised framework for training and development across the screen sector
● Reform the growth and skills levy to support shorter, modular, work-based training that enables people to move into new roles without the need for a full apprenticeship
● Invest in better workforce data including regional crew tracking and additional research commissions from local screen bodies, to help highlight and respond to regional skills needs
● Improve socio-economic diversity by collaborating across the industry to develop initiatives that open up more opportunities for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. 31 per cent of respondents come from low or working-class backgrounds, compared to a national benchmark of 39% – highlighting a need to identify and remove industry barriers for this demographic

The findings in full can be found here.

The findings also come after ScreenSkills launched its new five-year strategy in October 2024 and began reviewing its governance in early 2024, following the Screen Industry Task Force report published in November 2023. Applications are now open until May 18th for four new Trustees with a broad range of senior industry experience to join the Board, which is made up of leading figures from across the screen sector, as the charity enters a new phase of development.

Apply here.