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Just 4% of school leavers think that finance skills are essential and only 5% think sales and marketing are crucial to the industry, despite financing, scheduling and budgeting being key parts of the film and TV production process, new research by the AAT has found.
This research comes as interest in off-screen job roles among young people has increased, with six out of 10 (59%) of school leavers saying they are interested in knowing about behind the scenes of films.
However, 67% of school leavers still think that the only career opportunities are acting and creative roles, the AAT found.
The accounting association believes that the opportunity to be involved in the industry is “tantalisingly” close, citing that many film franchises and blockbusters have been filmed in the UK including the latest Barbie film and the upcoming Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Last year, a record £6.27bn was spent on film and high-end television production in the UK, according to the British Film Institute, which gave 122,000 people a job, per ScreenSkills findings.
However, 71% of school leavers think the film and TV sector is too difficult to get into unless you’re well connected or know someone, while others are unaware of the variety of opportunities a career in accounting offers. Seven out of 10 believe careers involving finance skills are boring.
Sarah Beale, CEO of AAT, said: “Accounting jobs aren’t just in accounting firms. Every business needs to have an accounting function including film, fashion, sport, music, and marketing. There is a huge variety of sectors that accountancy professionals can work in, that offer exciting career paths and open a world of opportunity to young people.
“It’s worrying that so many school leavers don’t feel they are getting the advice needed to help them make informed career decisions; especially at a time when many are keen to explore alternative routes to university and avoid hefty sums of debt.”
She added: “I started off as the equivalent of an AAT apprentice myself and know first-hand how our range of courses, qualifications and apprenticeships enable school leavers to start the next stage of their lives on a secure financial footing.”
