Arts Group

In response to their research showing that almost half (44%) of the Creative Media workforce said they had carried out unpaid work to get into the industry, Skillset have released exemplary guidelines for internships and other work-based learning. Involving the Arts Group throughout the consultation process, the sector skills council for Creative Media have broken the widespread ambiguity of many other groups and called for an acceptance of the role of general interns. Put together by Skillset in collaboration Creative & Cultural Skills and Arts Council England, the guidance aims to promote good practice and clarify the various entry routes into the creative industries.

“As the individual is performing as a ‘worker’ and is not in full-time education, employers must adhere fully to National Minimum Wage legislation throughout the duration of their placement.”

Skillset goes on to further elaborate on the broader range of work-based learning opportunities available, providing employers with a thorough opportunity to engage in both paid and unpaid routes with fairness and accessibility at the core. The guidelines place internships (broken down into “student” and “general” modes) within a broader context including Volunteering, Work Experience, Traineeships and Apprenticeships, providing a fantastic model for examining the future of work based learning and vocational education.

The guidelines include recommendations on:

• Limiting work experience placements to no more than 160 hours and reimbursing expenses;
• Paying at least the National Minimum Wage for anyone on a graduate internship;
• Limiting the working week of trainees and interns to 40 hours.

Whilst differing in some minor aspects from the recommendations of the Arts Group’s own Emerging Workers Report – the Skillset approach represents by far the best offer from any organization outside the Student Movement, and if implemented would make a huge difference to thousands of young people and those entering the creative industries for the first time.

“Getting a job in the creative industries should be about talent and potential. Yet this can prove challenging, given the sheer numbers who want a job and how informal entry often is.

“We understand that the recession and its impact mean that this is a challenging time for the industry. But by addressing this issue now we are seeking to make sure that the best and brightest talent is given fair access – and securing that talent is one of the best ways that we can ensure our future.”

~GMTV Chairman and Skillset chair Clive Jones

“We hope these guidelines will lay solid foundations for employers, setting out responsibilities in a clear and accessible way.”

~Skillset chief executive Dinah Caine

Click here for the pdf of the guidelines

The Arts Group is calling for legislation governing the practice of work experience, internships and placements. In its “Emerging Workers” document the Arts Group puts forward the case that Government action is needed in order to protect students and graduates in the arts and creative industries.

Many arts organisations and businesses are reliant upon unpaid workers, both on work experience and on longer term placements. Whilst the Arts Group recognises that some of these organisations are run on low budgets, it is not in the interest of diversity, equality or creativity for internships to remain as the preserve of the well off.

Kit Friend, Chair of the Arts Group commented “Access to the creative professions should be based on ability, not means. As the labour market is near saturated with those financially able to take up unpaid placements, equal access to the creative professions will not be realised unless internships are regulated by government.”

The Arts Group recognises that the creative sector is made up of a large number of small and medium enterprises, and calls for funding and bursaries to be made available to employers so that they are able to continue to offer internships that are genuine training and development opportunities.

>> A pdf of the report can be downloaded by clicking here

Arts Group Chair, Kit Friend, attended the HE Networking Meeting at the Arts Council England (ACE – www.artscouncil.org.uk) to discuss progress to be made around the issues of internships and graduate employment. The draft copy of our Emerging Workers Policy was discussed, and future developments look set to be in the pipeline soon – watch this space!