Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are independent, UK-wide organisations developed by groups of influential industries that are of economic or strategic significance. The Sector Skills Development Agency is the body established to underpin the SSC network. SSCs are industry-led and licensed by Government to take action to meet their sector's skills and business needs.

'In return they receive substantial public investment and greater dialogue with Government departments across the UK. This will enable sector employers [including the self-employed] to have a far greater impact on policies affecting skills … and increased influence with education and training partners.'

(Sector Skills Development Agency website 2003)

A Sector Skills Council for the Creative and Cultural Industries - supported by employers and the self-employed - will ensure that resources for skills training are secured at national, regional and local levels.

The Cultural and Creative Industries SSC will cover:

• Archives, libraries and information services
• The Arts in all their forms
• Crafts
• Cultural heritage
• Design

It will include organisations such as theatres, design studios, galleries, museums, archaeological units, archives and libraries - both large and small. It will cover a wide range of occupations such as those of the dancer, weaver, potter, graphic designer, archaeologist, curator, conservator, librarian and archivist - including all those with management responsibilities. Ultimately it will grow to embrace further areas of creative and cultural work.

We believe these areas of work naturally complement each other. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport defines the creative and cultural industries as, 'those industries which have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent and which have a potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property'
('Creative Industries Mapping Document 2001', Department for Culture, Media and Sport).

And, together, they will form a powerful voice to Government.

'Of course, it all adds up to the most important benefit of all: a more skilled, efficient and fulfilled workforce … The case for business and industry is clear. Government agencies responsible for learning, enterprise and development benefit too, by forming strong, strategic partnerships with Sector Skills Councils.'
('Invitation to Close the Gap', Sector Skills Development Agency 2002).

The creative and cultural industries of the UK generate around £112 billion for the economy each year and employ over one million workers. Exports contribute over £8billion to the balance of trade and the industries account for over 7% of GDP ('Creative Industries Mapping Document 2001' and 'Creative Industries Fact File': Department for Culture, Media and Sport). It's a massive contribution but, in order to maintain this input, we need to ensure that our workforce has the required skills to match industry needs as they change - otherwise we will be left out in the cold.

Increasingly the Government is keen to fund training only in industries where the industry itself takes the initiative. In the future it will allocate funds for training and skills development only through SSCs.

On a day-to-day basis these issues may sound remote but if we do not act now the consequences will be felt in the future by employees at all levels. Without a Sector Skills Council we will not be able to continue to develop training, qualifications and professional standards. Funding for projects will cease and our credibility will be lost.

A Creative and Cultural SSC will provide:

• A voice at a national level to advise on skills gaps.
• Help to cope with changing skills needs.
• The opportunity to influence policy-making.
• Security in knowing that the agenda is run by and for the sector.
• A national body to make the case for funding development programmes.
• Greater influence on partners in education and training.
• Wider access to training programmes.
• Opportunities to forge partnerships between members.
• The opportunity to develop work with other industries within the SSC.
• Links to specialist bodies working in such areas as management.
• One voice to Government.

Industries (including employers and all those who are self-employed) will be key players in the Sector Skills Council - in fact none of the SSCs will get the go-ahead without emphatic industry support.

They will use their sector knowledge to identify gaps in training provision, advise on the skills needed to cope with emerging trends, ensure that practical experience feeds into policy-making and make the case to investors to fund training and development programmes. This enhanced role will give industries a far greater say in shaping their sector and strengthen their influence on partners in education and training.

The case for a Creative and Cultural Industries SSC will be tested through your feedback, so it's vital that we have your views. The Sector Skills Development Agency has set out the process for those seeking SSC status. The first of the formal stages is to prepare an Expression of Interest which must have the support of a wide range of sector employers.

There has been an outstanding response to the invitation to join with us and bid to be recognised as a Sector Skills Coucil. Throughout the SSC recognition process we will be updating our partners list and using all responses to support the application.

We continue to welcome expressions of support, so please do continue to complete the feedback form on the Your Views Page.

Once an Expression of Interest is accepted, the sector has six months to prepare and submit a detailed, fully costed bid to the SSDA. This work will concentrate on building the sector's ability to meet the SSC Standard and on producing a business plan which specifies priorities and targets for the first three years of operation. It is during this stage that members will develop the new Sector Skills Council and direct its activities.

For the first stage, we ask you to support the submission of an Expression of Interest to develop a Creative and Cultural Sector Skills Council.

To do this you may complete the feedback form on the Your Views page.

This website has been developed both as a forum for debate and to provide detailed information about the SSC process.

The website offers:

• an on-line response facility for Your Views
• answers to sample questions
• detailed information on the SSC process
• useful links.

• Arts Council England
• Arts Council of Wales
• Arts Training Wales
• Chartered Society of Designers
• Council for British Archaeology
• Creative People
• Cultural Heritage NTO
• Dance UK *
• Department for Culture, Media & Sport
• Design Advisory Group
• Design Business Association
• Design Council
• Fform Crefft Cymru (Craft Forum Wales)
• Independent Theatre Council *
• Institute of Field Archaeologists
• Museums Association
• National Museum Directors Conference
• Northern Ireland Museums Council
• Opera and Music Theatre Forum *
• Prospect Trade Union (on behalf of its memebers among managers/specialist staff)
• Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives & Libraries
• Scottish Museums Council
• Society of London Theatre *
• Theatrical Management Association*
• UK Skills (Craft Skills Forum).

Discussions have also begun with the National Music Council.

* These performing arts bodies are also in close touch with Equity, BECTU and the Musicians' Union.

To download the prospectus or any other documents of interest go to the Downloads section.