Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries (broadcast, film, video, interactive media and photo imaging), is currently conducting a national research project looking into the roles, functions and skills of people working in all aspects of the interactive media sector. We need to know the skills and qualifications that are needed in order to produce innovative, high quality, interactive products.

The initial considerations and results from this research have been compiled and are available here. They are also interested in your feedback and comments. Keep in mind that this is a UK based project, but it's merits and ultimate results could be very influential if not decisive as interactive media companies struggle to find qualified talent and adequately develop the talent that exists in their four walls.

In particular, the Interactive Media Skills Group wants to know if people agree with the 'Solutions and Recommendations' section and ideas on how industry could implement them.

Now, given that things change quickly, how are they going to make recommendations that aren't immediately dated, I hear you ask?

The problem is that a lot of the research, as they admit, "pre-dates the dot-com crash and can therefore no longer be considered reliable". You can say that again.

However, what research they have points to broadly the same trends and issues. Which are:

1. The industry has a requirement for a broad range of hybrid specialist and general skills and functional flexibility
   
2. New entrants are not fully equipped to meet the needs of the industry (read "it's easier to start them off making the tea")
   
3. Post-entry skills acquisition is primarily through self-directed learning, coaching and mentoring (read "fire-fighting like crazy")
   
4. Experience is valued more than vocational qualifications (though most practitioners have degrees)
   
5. There are shortages of experienced practitioners and of individuals with the right combinations of skills
   
6. There are gaps in general transferable life, work and business skills
   
7. Traditional 'training solutions' are unlikely to work - flexibility and modularity are key