A recording of the network is available here
Our Creative Skills and Futures Network on 12 April 2024 brought together those working across the UK’s Creative and Cultural Industries, to gain insight, share best practice, and potentially form new collaborations across the creative education and skills landscape. Chaired by Lucy Kennedy, Chief Executive at The Saturday Club Trust (standing in for Dr Paul Thompson, Former Vice-Chancellor, Royal College of Art).
The network heard from Rob Dennis and Charlie Morrison, Stakeholder Engagement Advisors for the UK Government’s Department for Education (DfE), around the development of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), a wholesale replacement of the current student finance system in England, unifying further and higher education fund courses at levels 4, 5 and 6. The intention is that it will allow people to study more flexibly, including spacing out their study throughout their working lives and across institutions. You can view the presentation here.
During the Q&A session, Creative UK members raised questions regarding the regulatory framework around the LLE, ownership of students across increasingly modular delivery, course durations, and implications for hybrid learning. Rob and Charlie addressed these queries, highlighting the collaborative approach with providers and ongoing consultations with stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the LLE policy.
Following this, Lara Carmona, Director of Policy and Engagement at Creative UK updated on several priority developments within the policy space. Firstly, Lara acknowledged the UK Government’s Secretary of State for Education recent announcements regarding funding to creative subjects in England, and the changes in the UK Government’s Department of Education with the resignation of the Minister of State, Robert Halfon, and appointment of Luke Hall.
An update was provided on hotspots around The Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) work into the Graduate Route which permits students to remain for 2 years (or 3 years for PhD students) after graduation. The UK Government will not be initiating a formal call for evidence window due to accelerated timelines they have set, however Creative UK aims to consolidate evidence to develop a written response and has issued a call for members to share insights, key data and direction by May 3, 2024. Responses can be emailed to policy@wearecreative.co.uk.
Lara updated on the UK Government General Election manifesto preparation: both the processes of the Westminster-based political parties, as well as Creative UK’s own manifesto. Lara thanked the network for their input into the top line manifesto draft; the outcome of a great deal of insight from Creative UK members will result in a version launched on 23 April 2024 in collaboration with a new collective called Land of Hope and Story – Creative UK members can RSVP to the launch here.
The meeting moved to lightning talks, beginning with a presentation from Noel Dunne, Founder of Creative Alliance and Karen Hedger-Breeds, Creative Industries Consultant, Qualifications and Apprenticeships, on tackling the urgent need for more industry professionals in the apprenticeship workforce creative industries. You can view their presentation here.
Sophie Harley, Programme Manager- Inclusive Talent Engagement, Somerset House, spoke about Somerset House’s Upgrade Yourself Programme, which addresses under-representation within the creative industries, removing barriers and unlocking entry level career opportunities for emerging talent.
The conversation turned to network updates and discussions from Creative UK. Chris Slesser, Development and Partnership Manager for Education at Creative UK, began by congratulating members who were recognised in the 2024 edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject, including Royal College of Art, University of the Arts London, Glasgow School of Art, Goldsmiths, University College London, Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Prior to the meeting, members had prepared responses to key questions; their biggest (organisational) challenge/priority in the creative education and skills space and how the Creative Skills & Futures Network can support purposeful activity in response to thematic feedback relating to:
All responses were uploaded onto a Padlet (click here to access). [Members unable to attend are encouraged to review and contribute their thoughts directly onto the Padlet by 10 May 2024 to inform future network activity.]
The meeting marked Dr Paul Thompson’s (Former Vice-Chancellor, Royal College of Art) last meeting as network chair, and Paul was thanked for his dedication to the network over a number of years and celebrated his ongoing commitment to Creative UK and members.
Creative UK have invited member applications to be the next Chair to play a vital role in planning, leading and facilitating discussions, fostering collaboration, and driving initiatives to advance creative education, skills, careers, and the future creative workforce in the UK. For more information and the application form, click here [Creative Skills & Futures Network Chair – Creative UK (wearecreative.uk)]. The application deadline is Friday 3rd May 2024.
The next Creative Skills and Future meeting will be in June, and the date will be finalised following recruitment of the new chair.