07/11/2012 - BAFTA report reveals that next generation of recruits is at risk

A new research report released by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) reveals that young people are needlessly being discouraged from pursuing a career in film, television or games – with talented young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and women at particular risk of being lost to these industries. The BAFTA Career Pathways Survey questioned 2,077 young people aged 16-24 and 200 BAFTA members about their career decision-making processes and influences. The findings indicate that the culprit appears to be wrong or insufficient career advice.

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57% of those surveyed at considered a career in one or more of these industries, but 20% of all respondents found accessing careers advice difficult or impossible, and – of those who received formal careers advice but were not satisfied – 64% felt the advice was too general and almost 49% felt the advisor did not know enough about the industry in question. Tellingly, 17% of aspirants who received unsatisfying careers advice were actively discouraged from their chosen path.

Anne Morrison, Chair of BAFTA’s Learning and Events committee, said, “With increasing pressures on young people making career choices, it is worrying to see that potentially talented future members of our industries are unable to find the right advice to steer them onto this path. We call on our industries, teachers and careers advisors to equip themselves with the right information about the enormous range of fulfilling careers available – from set design to game design, to visual effects or producing – in order to give the best advice possible to the next generation of talent.”