Organisations from across the UK’s screen industries are coming together to develop the Screen Industries Skills Plan – an 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.
Together, they are working to identify shared priorities for workforce development, improve coordination across the sector and develop practical recommendations to support the UK’s screen workforce. The Plan will complement existing and emerging skills activity across different parts of the screen industries, identifying areas where greater coordination and collective action can add value.
The Plan is being developed at a pivotal moment for the sector. While the UK screen industries remain one of the country’s great success stories, they are also navigating significant change. Alongside preparing for future skills needs, the Plan will consider how better coordination, transferable skills and clearer pathways can help support the many skilled professionals currently seeking work across the industry.
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, the Screen Industries Skills Plan is bringing together expertise from across the UK’s nations and regions to identify where existing skills provision is working well, where gaps remain and where industry can work together more effectively to address shared challenges. This includes working alongside existing skills initiatives and partners to strengthen coordination across the sector.
The Plan aims to align existing activity, strengthen collaboration across the sector and identify practical actions that will deliver greater impact for employers, freelancers, new entrants and the wider workforce. The Screen Industries Skills Plan is currently in development. The strategic framework, due to be published later this year, will set out the evidence, prioritised recommendations and shared asks of industry and government. A detailed delivery plan, outlining ownership, resourcing and implementation, is planned to follow in 2027.
“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. We encourage organisations from across the screen sector to engage with the Screen Industries Skills Plan as it develops and continue working together to build the skilled, inclusive workforce our industry needs for the future.”
Lisa Opie, Executive Chair of ScreenSkills
“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.”
Jane Muirhead, Co-Chair of the Screen Industries Skills Plan Steering Group and Managing Director of Raise the Roof Productions
“The Screen Industries Skills Plan is an important opportunity for organisations across the UK screen sector to come together around shared workforce challenges and opportunities. By working collaboratively, we can build on what’s already working, identify where further collaboration is needed and help ensure the UK continues to develop the skilled workforce needed for the future.”Simone Marquis, BBC Chief Talent & Inclusivity Officer TBC
