> Dear all
>
> Apologies for cross posting
>
> Please find below the text of a prospectus proposing the development of a
> Creative and Cultural Industries Sector Skills Council covering the
> following industries: the arts in all their forms, crafts, cultural
> heritage, design, libraries, archives and information services.
>
> I would like to invite you to support this development by visiting the
> website: www.cciskills.org.uk and responding on line.  If this is a
problem
> or you would prefer a hard copy to respond by fax, please let me know and
I
> can send a pdf version of the prospectus as an e mail attachment.  I very
> much encourage you as individuals and organisations to support this.
Please
> feel free to circulate this to your contacts, asking them to respond also.
>
> Thanking you in anticipation.
>
> Josie
>
> Josie Armitage
> Sector Skills Development Manager (Education)
> Cultural Heritage NTO
> 1st Floor Glyde House
> Glydegate
> Bradford
> BD5 0UP
> Tel. 01274 391087
> Fax. 01274 394890
> Mobile: 07866 600377
> E Mail: [log in to unmask]
> Website: www.chnto.co.uk
>
>  THE RIGHT WAY FORWARD:
>
> An Invitation to the Creative and Cultural Industries
>
> Do you work or employ people in the Creative or Cultural Industries?
>
>  Then join us in forming a key organisation that will access £millions
each
> year to improve training and skills development in your area of work.
>
> Sector Skills Councils are a major new Government initiative - but the
time
> for industries to establish a dedicated SSC is limited.
>
>  If industries do not support their Sector Skills Council, Government
> recognition will be lost ... and so will access to those £ millions.
>
> Don't miss your opportunity .
>
> We are a group of key representatives drawn from the creative and cultural
> industries who are already working together to develop a Sector Skills
> Council (for a full list of those involved so far please scroll to the
foot
> of this message). We believe that a Sector Skills Council is the only
option
> for our industries if they are to maintain their credibility and stay in
the
> funding-for-training loop - but to achieve this we need your active
support.
>
> What are Sector Skills Councils?
>
>  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.
>
>  What Areas will a Creative and Cultural SSC cover?
>
>  The Creative and Cultural 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, the 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.
>
>  Why a Creative and Cultural SSC?
>
>  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.
>
> Why is it Important to Get Involved?
>
>  '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 £8 billion 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.
>
>  How will my Industry Benefit?
>
>  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.
>
> Your Role
>
>  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.
>
> So What do I do Now?
>
> 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.
>
>  Target deadline for submission is the end of April 2003 - which makes
> receiving your feedback a matter of urgency.
>
> 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 five 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 please submit your response on-line at:  www.cciskills.org.uk
>
>  This fully interactive 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 questions such as: How would the Creative & Cultural
Industries
> > SSC be funded?  What if the Creative and Cultural SSC is refused a
> licence?
> > Which other SSCs are in development?
> > detailed information on the SSC process together with useful links
> > fersiwn Cymraeg o'r prosbectws a'r ffurflen ymateb.
>
>
>  Organisations Already Involved
>
> > Arts Council England
> > Arts Council of Wales
> > Arts Training Wales
> > Chartered Society of Designers
> > Council for British Archaeology
> > CreativePeople
> > Cultural Heritage NTO
> > Dance UK *
> > Department for Culture, Media & Sport
> > Design Advisory Group
> > Design Business Association
> > Design Council
> > Fforwm 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 members 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 are also taking place with the National Music Council.
>
>  * These performing arts bodies are also in close touch with Equity, BECTU
> and the Musicians' Union.
>
> So, for further information and to give us your feedback, please visit:
> www.cciskills.org.uk
>
>
>