Go-ahead for Skills Academy

The nationwide skills shortage in backstage and technical theatre staff should be dramatically reduced in future by the establishment of a National Skills Academy (NSA) in Thurrock, Thames Gateway. Leading employers from the theatre and live music industries have welcomed the news that the bid by Creative & Cultural Skills (CCSkills), the Sector Skills Council for the cultural industries, to build the new Academy has been given final approval by the Government. The business plan for the £15m project reveals the intention to work with “employers, freelancers, colleges and training-providers throughout the country” to provide “world-class training for the world’s greatest stages”. The training facility will also include rehearsal and administrative space.

David Lammy, Minister for Skills at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) said, “The creative and cultural industries have always been at the heart of the UK’s competitiveness and to keep this vital industry alive we will need 30,000 extra backstage staff over the next decade.” He announced approval for two other Academies as part of the growing network of NSAs: Sport and Active Leisure, and Hospitality. Michele Roberts, Director of Skills Development Network at the Learning and Skills Council added, “The network has already been instrumental in raising skills levels in England, in sectors as diverse as construction, food and drink manufacturing, financial services and nuclear. The growth of the network is set to continue with the launch of a new prospectus aimed at encouraging more employers to work together to set the training agenda in their sectors.” Tom Bewick, Chief Executive of CCSkills, emphasised the importance of the Government’s decision to recognise the cultural industries as being “strategically important for the future”. CCSkills aims to establish the NSA as quickly as possible “as a distinct and independent entity, a wholly owned subsidiary of Creative & Cultural Skills and therefore led and owned by industry”. [[brilliant news for all those who have campaigned to make the National Skills Academy for music and the performing arts a reality]]

Thurrock is a focus for extensive regeneration through the Production Park project, which comprises the Royal Opera House (ROH), Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation, East of England Development Agency, Thurrock Council, CCSkills and Arts Council England, East (ACEE). The ROH will be moving its backstage and rehearsal facilities, displaced from East London by the 2012 Olympic Games, to Thurrock. ROH Chief Executive, Tony Hall, who is Chair of CCSkills and Co-Chair of the NSA steering group, said, “This is brilliant news for all those many people who have campaigned to make the National Skills Academy for music and the performing arts a reality. By the Olympics, we would have had a major shortage of skilled backstage workers. But with today’s announcement, we can tackle that problem right away and start giving opportunities to lots of people.” Andrea Stark, Executive Director of ACEE, said, “The National Skills Academy has generated huge enthusiasm among employers and education providers in the East of England to work in partnership to deliver industry-relevant training.” Other organisations supporting the project include British Music Rights, the Sage Gateshead and BECTU, the film, theatre and entertainment union.