ScreenSkills research shows COVID created opportunities for positive change that should not be missed

The screen industries believe there are opportunities created by the coronavirus pandemic to make lasting positive change that should not be missed, according to new research.

Views on remote working, technological change and environmental sustainability were all explored in the ScreenSkills Assessment 2021, supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funds as part of the BFI’s Future Film Skills programme.

The research provides a snapshot of skills issues affecting the UK screen industries and possible solutions and comes two years after the first iteration. Recruitment remains a problem for 82% of employers surveyed.

Interviews and a survey took place when the industry was disrupted by Covid. However, the disruption presented a new perspective on skills shortages, training and workforce development and future trends as the pandemic encouraged an innovative and flexible response to the challenges.

Seetha Kumar, ScreenSkills CEO, said: “This research sheds valuable insight into the lessons learned from this most difficult of years. It suggests new technologies and imaginative work practices adopted at this time might contribute to a better working environment for the future as well as keeping the screen industries vibrant. We will continue to use the evidence of our research with industry to inform and shape investment in skills and training to future-proof the sector.”

Neil Peplow, director of industry and international affairs at the BFI, said: “This timely study shows how our industry has quickly embraced innovation to address the challenges of the past year, opening up opportunities and enabling more flexible, considerate working practices. It also highlights areas where there is still work to do to support skills development and address shortages. We look forward to working closely with ScreenSkills and our partners in industry to build on these learnings.”

Findings included:

• 69% of employers and 72% of the workforce surveyed believe remote working will be the most significant trend to endure beyond Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, followed by increased use of remote communication (59%).
• Increased remote working is likely to enable hiring from a wider geographical pool, according to 54% of employers and workforce survey respondents.
• Half of employers thought that the pandemic helped to create or influence a fairer work culture for the future. Lessons learned include: embracing new technical solutions; avoiding business complacency; maintaining greater empathy with colleagues; and working more collaboratively as a sector to tackle common challenges.
• Almost half of employers pointed to greater future emphasis on work-life balance. This followed last year’s survey by the Work Foundation (2020) which found that 78% of film and TV workers struggle to find such balance.
• Nearly half of employers and just over half of the workforce surveyed thought that by 2026 the sector will be deploying more environmentally sustainable practices.

Read the full report at ScreenSkills Assessment 2021.