The future demand for skills will depend upon the economic growth of the sector, changing patterns of customer demand in the way that products and services need to be delivered and the changing patterns of doing business (for example technological changes as driver of skill demand).  The demand for new skill areas need to be mapped onto the existing skill bases of employees.

The interface with information and communication technologies is predicted to have major impact on the audio visual industries over the next ten years.

The audio visual industries will be a key element in the emerging information and knowledge economy which is set to expand.

Increasing competition from other sectors requiring the same skill sets as needed in the audio visual industries.

Emergence of new roles will put a demand on new skills and knowledge.  There is an expected demand for people with web design and specific software applications skills.

Flexible and less formal working patterns are likely to increase across the sector, particularly with the increase in small entrepreneurial companies that are decentralised.

All of the changes has significant implications for training and education in the sector and their role in skills development.

Source: Skillset 2004a, Spilsbury 2002 and Skillset 2001

For more information on the industries see:

The television industry

The film industry

The interactive media industry

The broadcast radio industry

The photo imaging industry

The performers industry