Skillset/UK Film Council Feature Film Production Workforce Survey 2008

7.8 Specialist skills

Respondents were asked whether they felt that there were any specialist skills that were in short supply among people working in their field. Although fewer respondents felt this was the case in the present survey compared with the 2005 survey report (30% and 35% respectively), a larger proportion was unsure (36% compared with 25%). Over one third (35%) of respondents in the present survey felt there were no such skills shortages

These proportions varied by occupational groups and age. Those working in the costume and art departments were the most likely to feel there was a skills shortage in their field, while assistant directors and those in locations were least likely to express this opinion. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the youngest respondents were more likely not to know if there was a shortage of skills in their field than their older counterparts.

These proportions did not vary significantly by gender, ethnic background or contract type.

Table 7.8.1 In your opinion, are there any specialist skills that are in short supply among people working in your field?

Table 7.8.2 In your opinion, are there any specialist skills that are in short supply among people working in your field? (by occupational group)

Table 7.8.3 In your opinion, are there any specialist skills that are in short supply among people working in your field? (by age group)

Respondents were asked which specialist skills they felt were in short supply in their field. A considerable range of skills was described across many departments, and these have been summarised under departmental headings inTable 7.8.4:

Table 7.8.4 Specialist skills in short supply

Note: base excludes those who did not state the type of skill shortage.

Just over half (54%) of respondents felt that there was the right number of people specialising in their field, 39% felt that there were too many people in their field, and fewer than one in ten respondents (7%) thought that there was a shortage of people specialising in their field (compared to 50%, 42% and 8% respectively in the 2005 survey findings).

There was some difference of opinion between the occupational groups. Nearly three quarters (74%) of those working in locations felt there were about the right number of people specialising in their field, while over half of those working as assistant directors and in make-up/ hairdressing felt there were too many. Those working in construction were most likely to think there were too few people specialising in their field (16%).

Younger respondents were more likely to think there were too many people specialising in their field, and the opposite was true for their older counterparts.

Responses also varied by contract type. Employees were more likely than freelancers to say that there were too few people specialising in their field (13% employees were of this view, compared with 6% of those on fixed term or daily freelance contracts).

There was no significant difference of opinion by gender or ethnic background.

Figure 7.8.1 Given the current volume of work available in the film industry, do you think there are too many people specialising in your field, too few, or about the right number?

Base = 1,087.

Table 7.8.5 Are there too many people specialising in your field, too few, or about the right number? (by occupational group)

Table 7.8.6 Are there too many people specialising in your field, too few, or about the right number? (by age group)

Table 7.8.7 Are there too many people specialising in your field, too few, or about the right number? (by contract type)