Posted By: Anonymous, 05 January 2011
Creative & Cultural Skills has released a Literature Blueprint which analyses the skills needs of the literature sector across the UK and propose key actions in response.
You can download the Literature Blueprint in PDF format or visit the Creative & Cultural Skills website for further resources and inspiration within the creative and cultural industries.
Below follows the official Literature Blueprint press release.
20 December 2010
New research highlights crucial business and digital skills needs in the UK’s literature sector
Creative & Cultural Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries, today launched the Literature Blueprint, an in-depth research document identifying and analysing the skills needs of the literature sector throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This research highlights an urgent need to improve the business and digital skills of both creative writers and those working in other roles in the sector, such as literature development. It also considers the need to broaden entry routes into the sector, support the development of writers working with children and young people, and ensure that creative writing qualifications reflect the reality of writing professionally.
Creative writing is at the heart of our national identity and cultural economy, and acts as a springboard for many other highly profitable industries, such as film, theatre, gaming and publishing. Meanwhile, digitisation has transformed the way the sector produces, markets and promotes literature and literature events.
Addressing the literature sector’s skills needs now will help it to attract and develop the best talent in this changing economic and technological context. Following extensive industry consultation, the Literature Blueprint makes a number of recommendations that aim to ensure the sector is in the best possible position to retain its global renown. These can be used to inform individuals’ and organisations’ training plans, project proposals and bids for regular funding.
Antonia Byatt, Director, Literature, Arts Council England, says: “UK literature is a truly global force and, whilst renowned for its heritage, it is also pioneering a new generation of young and exciting writers who are making their mark. Writers, and the people who present and promote them, need to match their creative skills with appropriate business skills so that they can take advantage of new ways of reaching more readers, online and face to face.”
Caroline Felton, Chief Executive, Creative & Cultural Skills, says: “The Literature Blueprint has identified the key areas where skills for the industry need to be developed, and now we must work with the sector to ensure the appropriate support is available and the right interventions are made. On a practical level, this will, I hope, manifest itself in the form of improved access to training opportunities that will best support writers and those in other roles in the sector throughout their careers.”
A pdf version of the Literature Blueprint can be found here.
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For more information on this press release please contact Jessica Hope, Senior PR Advisor at Creative & Cultural Skills – Jessica.hope@ccskills.org.uk / 0207 015 1819
Notes to editors:
The key recommendations of the Literature Blueprint include:
1. Improve professional development opportunities for writers and other literature professionals who work or aspire to work with children and young people
2. Enhance the information, advice and guidance available to individuals aspiring to become writers or to enter the wider literature sector
3. Ensure that entry routes are relevant and fully accessible by all
4. Increase alignment between higher and further education provision and the skills needs of the sector so that courses better prepare students for work
5. Ensure that the right mix of training and qualifications is available to meet current and future skills needs, and that opportunities are promoted and signposted well
6. Help the sector to access relevant business support and ensure that this is communicated well,
7. Prioritise the development of digital skills both for individual writers and for literature organisations, and identify strategies to support this
8. Ensure the sector has the right tools and evidence to advocate for its skills needs in the future
Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries. Our remit includes craft, cultural heritage, design, literature, music, performing arts and visual arts across the UK. Creative & Cultural Skills was granted a new licence to operate in January 2010.
Creative & Cultural Skills is a member of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils. Together we oversee the strategic development of the workforce in our industries and deliver realistic solutions to skills needs.
For further information please visit www.ccskills.org.uk
