Latest news : Creative & Cultural Skills creates new award

Creative & Cultural Skills are set to go forward with plans to establish a new set of Craft Skills Awards as laid out by skills minister, John Hayes. 29/02/2012

Awards will be granted to practitioners and learners of all ages in a number of areas. They will be judged by a Panel made up of the best of the UK’s craft talent, with the first round of prizes being awarded in spring 2013. The scheme will also offer a discretionary Lifetime Achievement Award to champion someone especially active in the development of craft skills in the UK.

Creative & Cultural Skills, supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, will work in collaboration with the craft sector to develop the awards.

Speaking at the Prince’s Foundation for Building Community in London to an audience of heritage apprentices and professionals, including His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, Mr Hayes said,

‘Craft skills are a valued inheritance from our past; they enrich the present and are vital to our future. The sector contributes £3billion a year to the UK economy and helps to support the tourism industry and sustain our cultural heritage and sense of identity.

‘I’m delighted to announce the introduction of a new set of awards for craft skills that recognise the excellence of craft practitioners and the work they do to keep these traditions alive for future generations to enjoy.’

The awards scheme will also raise the craft sectors ownership of and involvement in, the teaching and learning of craft skills.

‘We are delighted by the creation of the new awards, which will celebrate the great craftsmanship of the UK, recognise our fantastic craftspeople and encourage young people to take up an interesting and satisfying career,’ said Robin Wood, chair of the The Heritage Craft Association .

The new Craft Skills Awards are an important part of Creative and Cultural Skills  broader commitment to training and skills in the UK’s craft sector. By the academic year, 2013-14 the Sector Skills Council will have developed a new Craft Apprenticeship in partnership with the craft sector and be fully implemented.

Apprentices will choose from numerous options with each one focussed on a particular craft occupation. Creative & Cultural Skills are also investigating new delivery mechanisms for this apprenticeship, hoping to find a suitable way of allowing sole traders and individual craft practitioners to be involved.