Staffordshire has a fast-growing digital and creative industries sector, particularly in software development in the energy, medical and entertainment fields.

Staffordshire and the digital and creative industries

• Staffordshire has a fast-growing digital and creative industries sector, particularly in software development in the energy, medical and entertainment fields.
• Skills shortages in the industry are having a detrimental impact on growth within the sector.
• The expanding digital sector in Staffordshire is strong in IT managed services and internet service providers.
• Local employers include Navman Wireless, Quiss Technology PLC, Comtact, koko Digital and the BBC has MediaCityUK now based in nearby Salford Quays.

The digital and creative sector is fast-growing. A lot of the jobs in this sector are new. Many didn’t exist 50 years ago and new jobs are being created all the time.

The UK picture

In the UK, the sector employs over 550,000 people and includes opportunities in animation, computer games, film production, interactive media, radio and television.

Such rapid growth is evidence of both the growing importance of the creative industries in an age of increasing digitalisation, with products and services such as video games and social media becoming ever more popular, and the fact that the UK has traditionally been near the forefront of such development.

There is a need for both technical and professional skills’ within and across the industry.

Job roles in the sector include:

• Performing arts – theatre, musical theatre, dance, opera, puppetry, mime, carnival, street and circus arts (and all of the ‘support jobs’ needed)
• Literature – writers, novelists, poets and playwrights. Visual arts cover a range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, photography and new media
• Design:
  • Ceramics – design for one-off and mass production.
  • Fashion Design – men’s, women’s and children’s wear, knitwear, shoes, hats, work wear
  • Furniture – design for one-off and mass production
  • Interiors – design for retail, domestic, commercial and industrial environments
  • Jewellery – design for fashion jewellery and for precious stones and metals
  • Product – includes everything from cars and aeroplanes to vacuum cleaners and wheelbarrows
  • Graphic design (such as newspapers, magazines, brochures), typography, corporate identity, advertising, packaging, multi-media, TV and film graphics, and illustration
• Communication – advertising, media, marketing and public relations
• Broadcasting – radio, film, animation, commercials, games design etc
• Software and computer services 
• IT telecommunications

Qualifications and routes

There are many ways to get in to the digital and creative industries. A combination of learning and experience is the best way for your child to increase their knowledge and build their confidence within the sector.

Routes include:

• Age 14 GCSEs – Good grades in English and Maths. Your child’s school might also offer vocational qualifications such as BTECs, OCR Nationals, etc.
• Age 16 – A levels, apprenticeships , vocational qualifications, and traineeships.
• Age 18+ – university, apprenticeships and vocational qualifications.

To get in to this sector your child will need to develop their knowledge of the subject, have individual creativity, skill, talent and technical skills. It’s worth talking to people already working in these fields to find out the skills employers are looking for.

The sector covers a variety of careers and required qualifications with therefore vary.

These industries can be difficult to get in to; highly competitive and often changing. The creative industries sector is characterised by a large number of small and micro businesses therefore entrepreneurship and young enterprise training would be useful if this is provided at your child’s school.

If your child thrives on competition, is creative and likes constant change, this sector could be an enjoyable challenge.

General skills needed

Employers are looking for people who posses the following skills:

• High level computing
• IT skills
• Technological development
• Business development
• Innovation
• Problem solving
• Good communication skills
• Adaptability

Jobs and Careers

Here is a table showing the kinds of jobs and careers available in the Creative industries