The Stage

Government supports £10m National Skills Academy

Published Tuesday 31 October 2006 at 15:15 by Alistair Smith

The Government has earmarked £7 million for the first-ever National Skills Academy for the live performing arts sector, in an attempt to boost backstage and technical training.

Employers such as the National Theatre, Live Nation, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Opera House, who are supporting the project, welcomed the news. Supervised by Creative and Cultural Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural sectors, the scheme’s total cost is expected to exceed £10 million.

Whitehall backing was seen as essential for attracting further industry cash.

However, in order to secure the government grant CCSkills must now submit a detailed business plan for the scheme.

“The academy’s vision is to attract and train the best performance technicians in the country, ready for careers on the best stages in the world,” said Tony Hall, chief executive of the ROH and chairman of CC Skills.

“The announcement today by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills allows us to press on with drawing up detailed plans for this exciting project. We need to secure up to £4 million from industry sources to help support the development. The government will provide over £7 million for the capital build, with some revenue funding to support learners. Given the pressing skills shortages now resulting from the very healthy growth of live entertainment in recent years, I’m confident the industry will see that supporting the academy financially is directly in their interests.” ¬†

As part of the project, which will also include a support network of organisations across the UK, CC Skills is looking to build a centre to house the scheme. While organisers are considering a number of locations, their favoured option is currently in Thurrock, near the Thames Gateway, located on the same site as the ROH’s proposed new production campus.

Culture minister David Lammy welcomed news of the scheme’s approval. “This is terrific news for Britain’s performing arts and music industries,” he said. “It shows what can be done when committed employers get together to harness the skills of the next generation. The success of this project will help match the world class talent on stage with the very best technical and business skills backstage.”

Backing has also been given by Arts Council England, the Theatrical Management Association, the Musicians’ Union and Bectu.