It is estimated that up to half of the actual available labour pool is freelance in the audio visual industries.

Freelance working is a very significant feature for those occupational groups involved in programme making.  This is expected to grow as a result of the growth in the independent production industry.

Levels of freelancing vary greatly by industry and occupation in the media.  In areas not directly involved in production, the whole workforce is permanently employed.  In the three interactive media industries: between 10-20% of the workforce is freelance; 20-25% in television and radio; and up to 40-60% in independent production, animation, special effects, commercials and corporate production.

Source: Skillset website 2005 and Skillset 2005a