Creative Skillset Supports Animation

Creative Skillset further pledged its support for the animation industry last month, as six graduates from each of the sixteen animation degree courses accredited with the Creative Skillset Tick assembled at the annual Animation and VFX Showcase in London on 16 July to connect with industry employers.
Since the Chancellor announced tax breaks within the creative sector in 2012, animation employers have been working with Creative Skillset with a view to developing the artistic workforce and supporting continued growth.
Miles Bullough, newly appointed Chair of Creative Skillset's Animation Skills Council and Managing Director of Wildseed Studios, said: "Over the past few months, the Council and Creative Skillset have been mapping animation production for the next two to four years. As a result, we have identified critical skills gaps and we now know what we need to do and are going forward with delivery."
"Central to our work is identifying new talent and that's why the animation Trainee Finder is so important in delivering the next generation of talent into the industry."
Trainee Finder, part funded by the Creative Skillset Skills Investment Fund (SIF), is a central resource for employers to access potential trainees.
Training placements are normally a year long, and enable businesses to receive support from the Creative Skillset Skills Investment Fund (SIF).
Many of the graduates from accredited degree courses who attended the Showcase have already signed up to the Trainee Finder.
Dinah Caine CBE, CEO of Creative Skillset, said: "This is a crucial time for the animation industry and since last year's Showcase, it's been an extraordinary year for the industry.
"Tax breaks have been secured and, to support the growth this will bring, the Creative Skillset Skills Investment Fund has extended its scope to animation. The animation industry will be contributing to the SIF through a production levy and in addition the government will co-invest with the industry through the SIF for the next two years, meeting priority needs. The animation Trainee Finder will create a new, diverse emerging talent pool to ensure employers can access individuals capable of delivering world class dynamic content."
The Creative Skillset Tick notes excellence in training courses and education in the creative industries and helps identify the UK's most industry-focussed courses and apprenticeships to benefit potential students, apprentices and employers.
www.creativeskillset.org
(IT/CD)