The Stage

Equity members quizzed on training needs

Published Tuesday 15 February 2005 at 10:55 by Jeremy Austin

Skillset is to survey Equity members on their training experiences and needs in a census that will form the basis of the government-funded body’s strategy for performers.

This week, the union’s members nationwide received the survey form from the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. In it, there were asked about their work habits and their vocational education. It is the first initiative to be launched by the organisation since the government added performers to its remit, which until then had only included technical workers in the performance industries.

Skillset chief executive Dinah Caine said: “We are trying to get an accurate picture of the working lives of performers so we can plan how best to help them in terms of careers and skills development. Equity members will receive a questionnaire in the post and I would urge all of them to take part. The more information they can give us, the better we can target our efforts and investment where it’s needed most.”

In September 2003, Skillset announced it was to include performers for the first time in its remit. At the time, the industry responded excitedly, pointing to the expense of providing audio-visual training in Britain’s drama schools. In May last year, it moved to accredit screenwriting and acting courses at drama schools and launched a scheme to set up a network of centres of academic excellence, with some bursary-funded places.

A spokesman for Equity said the intention was to get reliable data on employment in the industry, as well as training that is going on and that is needed. He added that as a comprehensive survey of Equity’s membership, it will also be helpful for the union.

“There are gaps in training for performers. There’s a vacuum in that level of training for people who have left drama school and lack proper employment opportunities and it is about trying to find a way for Skillset to plug that gap,” he said.