Skills gap seen in creative skills industries

The CBI has identified a skills gap within the creative skills industry.

Demand for contractors using umbrella company services in the creative sector may be on the rise, as one group identifies a prominent skills gap.

The CBI explained that there is currently a lack of relevant skills, despite the industry being expected to employ 1.3 million people by 2013.

Susan Anderson, CBI director for education and skills, said: "Our creative industries have huge growth potential, but the lack of trained people with relevant skills to meet the sector's specialist demands is holding it back."

She noted that in order for the sector to succeed as planned, young people need to leave school with a strong understanding of the basics, such as maths and science.

Among the CBI's recommendations is for higher level computer programming and software development courses to be introduced.

It was also suggested that employers should collaborate with schools more effectively, such as through the Education and Employers Taskforce.