![An Arts Professional Feature in partnership with Creative and Cultural Skills](/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/administrator/ccskills-2020-v3.png)
![Flags of home nations](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/home_nations_flag_image_setanta747_0.png?itok=4UW_OeGq)
Creative & Cultural Skills exists to create a fair and skilled cultural sector and is exceptional in its commitment to working equitably across the four nations of the UK, says long-serving former trustee David Anderson.
![a girl watches a pottery demonstration](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/main/articles/creative_cultural_skills.png?itok=8ncfci9Q)
For a sector that’s for and by people, why do we find it so hard to invest in the very thing that makes us? asks Sara Whybrew.
![performer speaks to children](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/main/articles/cc_skills_feature.png?itok=SEnWuGxb)
Without volunteering, many organisations in the cultural sector simply couldn’t operate. But it can also act as a route for people to move into paid work, writes Jane Ide.
![a student studying at a desk](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/main/articles/resized_image.png?itok=njlz26rT)
The Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, has announced substantial cuts in funding for arts degrees. Jane Ide assesses the impact it might have on training for the sector.
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Employers cannot see freelancers as the ‘always on’ source of talent and skill that can be picked up and put down at will, says Jane Ide.
![](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/main/articles/nsa_0040.jpg?itok=xYMnDTbc)
The creative and cultural sectors cannot say they value equality while continuing to be one of the worst offenders for prejudice and lack of access, writes Jane Ide.
![Man teaching woman on audio mixer](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/main/articles/nsa_0148_002.jpg?itok=59BKkxSm)
With new demands being made for skills and training, Jane Ide asks: is this going to help young people into work?
![Two people working on a soundsboard](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/main/articles/nsa_410.jpg?itok=TnXvlWNT)
The creative sector will bounce back, writes Jane Ide. What matters is building a more inclusive sector – and not just because it’s the right thing to do.
![Two people reading a script](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/main/articles/ccskills_0.jpg?itok=D-9wZRhb)
Rishi Sunak said hard hit workforces like the arts may have to retrain to adapt to the new economy. Sara Whybrew counters that the new economy means we must adapt our approach to training.
![A woman standing behind a full clothes rail backstage at a production](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/main/articles/ccskills.jpg?itok=fNaRbBmo)
Apprenticeships could help level the playing field and help those from less advantaged backgrounds enter the arts and cultural sector, but it isn’t happening. Plain old prejudice is getting in the way, says Sara Whybrew.