PRESS RELEASE

CIM calls for government support to address the marketing skills crisis

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) has praised the £3.8 billion funding for skills training announced in last week’s Budget, but says the opportunity has been missed to boost the UK's vital marketing sector.

CIM is one of several marketing bodies calling on the government to support them in resolving the marketing skills crisis in the media. A study by CIM found 71% of 16-24 year olds (Gen-Z) believe they have missed out on training opportunities due to Covid19 with over a third (36%) of students say they feel less confident in their ability since the pandemic.

The Budget has allocated more than £3.8 billion to drive a “skills revolution” but no funding has been assigned to support industry-led training programmes from professional marketing associations.

Chris Daly, CIM's CEO said: “The government must do more to support marketing associations and the qualifications they provide. Funding should be allocated to industry leading trade bodies, who are best placed to resolve the marketing skills crisis and help fill some of the 1.1 million job vacancies nationwide.”

Of the funding announced on 27^th October, the government has assigned £1.6 billion to roll out new T-level qualifications, equivalent to three A-levels, as well as £170 million to support apprenticeships and £550 million to fund skill-based courses for adults with GCSE level qualifications or lower.

Daly added: “While we welcome the Government’s commitment to fund professional training and so called ‘skill boot camps’, our industry requires financial backing to harness its full potential.

“Our Impact of Marketing research found more than three quarters of marketing employers report a skills shortage amongst their workforces. We must provide marketers with 21st century skills to succeed and thrive long-term, or this crisis will only worsen.”

ENDS

For CIM enquiries
James Delves
CIM Head of PR and External Engagement
james.delves@cim.co.uk 

Corinne Lavictoire
CIM PR Executive
corinne.lavictoire@cim.co.uk