ScreenSkills and the BBC have co-published a study examining the skills, career opportunities and challenges facing the UK’s digital content creator sector.
Conducted by consultancy Olsberg•SPI, Creator Skills: Progression, Provision and Priorities draws on existing research, confidential consultations with creators and screen professionals, and a targeted survey of 20 UK-based digital content creators.
The report identifies increasing convergence between digital-first content and the traditional film and television industry, alongside a need to help creators move into film and television and established screen professionals transition into digital production.
It found that many creators acquire their skills through practical experience and peer mentoring rather than formal training. Although digital platforms present fewer geographical barriers to entry than film and television, access to traditional screen industry networks remains concentrated around London and other major cities.
According to the study, successful creators need a combination of production, storytelling, business and technical expertise, as well as platform literacy, audience communication skills and resilience. Legal, intellectual property, financial and employment management knowledge becomes increasingly important as creators establish commercial partnerships, recruit teams and seek to protect original formats.
The report also identifies online harassment, safety, isolation and wellbeing pressures as significant barriers to sustaining creator careers, particularly when an individual’s audience expands rapidly without suitable support.
Lisa Opie, ScreenSkills executive chair (pictured), said: “The Digital Content Creator sector plays a significant part in the UK screen and creative economy, contributing more than £2.2 billion to UK GDP and supporting thousands of jobs. This report shows that it’s crucial for the film and TV industry to convene and continue to champion DCCs in the same way we support talent development and training within the wider screen industry, to enable DCCs to build lifelong transversal skills and secure growth.”
She added: “While the screen industry has really embraced the DCC community over recent years, this study identifies the need for skills training in safeguarding and business best practices can be put in place for the future.”
The report includes case studies of creators including gaming specialist Ali-A, who has grown his operation from a solo enterprise into a business working with a network of 20 people internationally, and Belfast-based Kyle Thomas, whose work spans social platforms, sponsorship, publishing and factual television.
Dawn Beresford, BBC director of talent and skills, commissioning, said: “Content creators are redefining how stories are told and how audiences discover and engage with content, offering new opportunities for talent from every nation and region of the UK. This research provides insight into the skills, ambitions and challenges facing content creators today. It reinforces the importance of supporting creators to grow sustainable careers, protect their wellbeing and access new opportunities. By working together across the sector, we can help ensure creators have the tools, opportunities, and support to thrive and bring their unique perspectives to audiences across the UK.”
Earlier this year, the BBC, YouTube and the National Film and Television School launched Create x Connect, comprising three fully funded training programmes for television producers, digital creators and journalists. ScreenSkills will produce e-learning packages based on the programme’s training content.
The report launches on the same day that YouTube has unveiled a £3m investment intended to support the creator economy and careers across the UK screen industry.
