Literacy levels on decline among media recruits: British training watchdog

A British watchdog organization says it has a major concern about the decline in literacy levels among young media recruits, according to a story in Press Gazette.

Skillset, the body supporting skills, education and training for the UK's creative media industries, said the impact of digital technology on the publishing world has exposed "critical" skills gaps in businesses where editorial quality was vital for commercial success.

The watchdog warned this dip in the quality of basic skills came at a time when "traditional core skills like good writing, editing and interviewing are becoming even more important so that customers are prepared to pay for high quality content".

The report, based on a year-long research project, said there was a "desperate" need to develop more highly skilled advertising and media sales forces, especially in digital media, and that it was "critical" for freelancers and sole traders to have the latest skills for multimedia and converging technologies.

Gail Rebuck, chairman and chief executive of Random House and Skillset board member, said: "The impact of the recession coupled with the phenomenal pace of technological change is having a profound impact on the publishing sector.

"To take advantage of the great opportunities to create and deliver compelling content to educate, engage and entertain readers, the industry needs a workforce capable of combining traditional skills with a new digital and technical capability underpinned by a renewed emphasis on creativity."