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The Cultural, Information and Recreational Services Industry

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These industries are amongst the fastest growing in the country and a source of new jobs.

The numbers of jobs in Scotland in each sector are:

  • Audio visual 13,000
  • Creative and cultural 15,800 (additional 11,000 estimated self-employed)
  • Leisure 31,200

The Hair and Beauty Industry employs over 180,000 people in the UK.

  • A high number of jobs in the audio visual sector are based in Glasgow; BBC Scotland is the single biggest employer.
  • A number of developers of computer games are based in the Tayside area.
  • 90% of employers in the creative and cultural sector employ less than ten people.
  • A high number of jobs in the leisure sector are with local authorities.
  • The hairdressing and beauty industry exists in all parts of Scotland.

Areas included

These industries provide a range of key services to all people in society; they look after our cultural, social and recreational needs. It includes the following sub-sectors and activities:

Active leisure and learning

Audiovisual Industries

Creative and Cultural

Hairdressing

Caravans

Health and Fitness

Playwork

Sport and Recreation

The Outdoors

Animation

Commercials

Corporate Production

Computer Games

Facilities

Film

Interactive Media

Photo Imaging

Radio

TV

Advertising

Crafts

Cultural heritage

Design

Music

Performing, Visual and Literary Arts

African Caribbean Hair

Beauty Therapy

Hairdressing and Barbering

Nail Services

Spa Therapy

Tattoo and piercing studios

  • The audio visual sector has a highly qualified workforce; with high-level craft, technical and creative skills.
  • Its workforce is predominantly graduate entry; there is a high level of freelance working.
  • In contrast, both the Leisure and Creative and Cultural sectors have a high number of jobs that do not require any qualifications; for example jobs such as leisure and theme park attendants.
  • Hairdressing has a well established tradition of work based training; often combined with day release to college.
  • It is common for beauty therapy staff to take a college course before starting work with an employer.

For a full list of jobs in this industry see below.

What’s it like working in the Cultural, Information and Recreational Services Industry?

  • This industry will appeal most to those with a special talent.
  • Most jobs are full time except in the leisure sector where more than half of the jobs are part-time.
  • A quarter of the workers in television and radio are self employed freelancers.
  • All three sectors employ the same number more or less of men and women.
  • The workforce in the leisure sector is much younger than in other sectors; more than three in ten employees in the leisure sector are aged 16 -24.
  • The hairdressing industry is dominated by single salons employing on average thirteen staff.
  • Females have most of the jobs in the hairdressing and beauty therapy sectors.

Future Trends

  • The audio visual sector is expected to grow by almost 20% in the next 10 years.
  • Television is expected to grow the most over the next five years.
  • The number of jobs in the creative and cultural sector is expected to increase by 15% in the next ten years.
  • An increased awareness in health and an increased demand for childcare and consequently playwork will mean good jobs prospects for the leisure industry.
  • Hairdressing is an industry that has a good future; it is unlikely that computers and technology will replace the need for skilled workers.

Find out more about where the jobs are in your area.

Useful Information

Your Creative Future

  • Creative and Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for the literary, performing and visual arts industry.
  • Skills Active is the Sector Skills Council for the leisure industry
  • SKILLSET is the Sector Skills Council for the audiovisual industry.

 Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority - information on hairdressing and beauty therapy



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Occupations

Actor/Actress
Advertising Account Executive
Advertising Art Director
Advertising Copywriter
Advertising Media Buyer
Advertising Media Planner
Advertising Media Salesperson
Animator
Archaeologist
Archivist
Aromatherapist
Art Therapist
Artist
Arts Administrator
Author
Beauty Therapist
Betting Shop Clerk/Cashier
Betting Shop Manager
Broadcasting Production Assistant
Broadcasting Researcher
Camera Operator
Car Park Attendant
Ceramic Pottery Maker
Ceramics Designer
Charity Organiser
Cinema/Theatre Attendant
Cleaner - Industrial
Clerk
Conference/Exhibition Organiser
Costume Designer
Countryside Ranger/Warden
Craft Designer
Croupier
Dancer
Design Studio Assistant
Designer
Disc Jockey
Editor - Publishing
Editorial Assistant
Embalmer
Fairground/Arcade Worker
Fashion Designer
Fashion/Advertising Photographer
Film/Video Tape Editor
Fitness Instructor
Footwear Designer
French Polisher
Funeral Director
Furniture Designer
Glass Designer
Graphic Designer
Graphics Studio Assistant
Hairdresser
Illustrator
Indexer
Industrial/Commercial Photographer
Interior/Exhibition Designer
Interpreter
Jewellery/Silver Designer
Journalist
Journalist - Magazine
Journalist - Newspaper
Journalist - Radio/Television
Librarian
Library Assistant
Make-up Artist
Market Research Analyst
Market Research Executive
Market Research Interviewer
Medical Illustrator
Medical Photographer
Metal Engraver
Minister of Religion
Model Maker
Multimedia Specialist
Museum/Art Gallery Attendant
Museum/Art Gallery Conservator
Museum/Art Gallery Curator
Music Manager
Musical Instrument Technician
Musician
Outdoor Pursuits Instructor
Packaging Designer
Park Warden
Photographer
Photographer - General Practice
Picture Framer
Presenter - Broadcasting
Press Photographer/Photojournalist
Recreation Manager
Riding Instructor
Scientific Photographer
Scriptwriter
Signwriter/Signmaker
Singer
Sound Operator - Broadcasting
Sound Recording Engineer
Sports and Leisure Centre Assistant
Sports and Leisure Centre Manager
Sports Coach/Instructor
Sports Professional
Sports Scientist
Stage Manager
Studio/Floor Manager
Swimming Pool Attendant
Tattooist
Technical Author
Technical/Scientific Illustrator
Textile Designer
Theatre Lighting Technician
Theatre Sound Technician
Theatre Stagehand
Theatre/Television Designer
Trade Union Official
Video Maker/Producer
Welfare Rights Worker