Organisations from across the UK’s screen industries are coming together to develop a new industry-led strategic framework focused on shared workforce priorities, greater collaboration and practical action around common skills challenges.
Convened by ScreenSkills, the Screen Industries Skills Plan brings together more than 150 employers, broadcasters, streamers, production companies, independent producers, freelancers, industry bodies, training providers and education partners from across the UK.
The Plan will identify shared priorities for workforce development, improve coordination across the sector and develop practical recommendations to support the UK’s screen workforce.
It is being developed at a time of significant change for the screen industries. Alongside preparing for future skills needs, the Plan will consider how better coordination, transferable skills and clearer pathways can support skilled professionals across the workforce.
The Screen Industries Skills Plan is guided by a Steering Group co-chaired by Jane Muirhead, Managing Director of Raise the Roof Productions, and Mel Sullivan, CEO of Framestore, alongside five specialist Working Groups focused on:
- Transferable Skills
- Emerging Skills
- Data and Research
- New Entrant Pathways
- Work-based Training
Together, the groups are looking at where existing skills provision is working well, where gaps remain and where greater collaboration can add value.
The Plan is intended to complement existing and emerging skills activity across the screen industries rather than replace it, helping to align activity and identify areas where collective action can deliver greater impact for employers, freelancers, new entrants and the wider workforce.
Lisa Opie, Executive Chair of ScreenSkills, said: “The UK screen industry and its workforce are already a success story, but we cannot stand still. The Screen Industries Skills Plan brings together organisations from across the UK to identify where we need to go further, where we can work better together and how we can ensure the industry continues to develop the skilled workforce it needs.
"This is an industry-led plan. By bringing together employers, educators, broadcasters, production companies, industry bodies and training providers, we have an opportunity to build on what already works, address emerging challenges and widen opportunity for people across every nation and region of the UK.”
Jane Muirhead, Co-Chair of the Screen Industries Skills Plan Steering Group and Managing Director of Raise the Roof Productions, said: “Bringing together voices from across the industry on this scale gives us an opportunity to identify where we can work better together, build on what is already working and turn that collective expertise into practical action.
"The Screen Industries Skills Plan is about creating a more coordinated approach that supports people across the workforce and ensures our sector has the skills it needs to continue to thrive.”
The strategic framework is due to be published later this year and will set out the evidence, prioritised recommendations and shared asks of industry and government. A detailed delivery plan covering ownership, resourcing and implementation is planned to follow in 2027.