Skillset/UK Film Council Feature Film Production Workforce Survey 2008

7.3 Perceived need for further training

The survey also asked respondents if there were any areas in which they needed further training.  Around half (52%) felt that there were, a slight decrease on the proportion reported in the 2005 survey (55%).

This did not vary significantly by contract type, although there was some difference by occupational group.  The groups most likely to feel that they needed training in certain areas were those in locations (73%), and the camera department (66%). There was still demand for additional training among the majority of those working in make-up/hairdressing (62%) and editing/post production/VFX (62%), although the proportions were much less than those reported in the 2005 survey (Figure 7.3.1).

Two thirds of respondents under the age of 35 felt that they needed further training in particular areas.  This dropped to just under half of those aged between 35 and 49 (46%), and a third of those aged 50 or older.

Women were marginally more likely than men to say that they needed further training (57% compared with 51%).

There was a statistically significant difference between white and ethnic minority workers in terms of their perceived training needs, unlike in the 2005 survey report. 70% of ethnic minority respondents felt they needed additional training compared with just over half of their white counterparts (51%).

Table 7.3.1 Are there any areas in which you feel you need further training?

Figure 7.3.1 % with further training needs (by occupational group)

Base:

2005 – Production and script development = 123, assistant directors = 47, art, set decorating and props = 128, camera = 106, sound and electrical = 63, costume = 39, make up and hairdressing = 41, construction = 80, location = 43 and other = 172.

2007 – Production and script development = 188, assistant directors = 66, art, set decorating and props = 190, camera = 102, sound and electrical = 73, costume = 65, make up and hairdressing = 47, construction = 88, location = 40 and other = 195.

Table 7.3.2 % with further training needs (by age)

Table 7.3.3 % with further training needs (by gender)

Table 7.3.4 % with further training needs (by ethnic group)

As in the 2005 survey report, by far the most common type of skill in which further training was felt to be needed was finance, business, marketing and management, mentioned by 25% of those wanting training (16% of the sample as a whole).  10% or more respondents also felt further training was needed in art and design, camera operation and general computer operation and administration.  The training needs described were often related technological change, e.g. the increasing use of information and imaging technology.

Table 7.3.5 Areas in which further training is felt to be needed

Note: base excludes those who did not state the area for further training.