Attending a conference can be an exciting and insightful experience, especially when it involves topics that are important to the sector and one's professional growth and development. Recently, I had the privilege of attending a two-day culture change conference at the University of South Wales Cardiff campus, in partnership with Media Cymru, that aimed to improve the creative industries ways of working in Wales.
The conference brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including industry leaders, policymakers, and experts in the field, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the screen sector in Wales and explore ways to enhance its performance and competitiveness. Over the two days, I gained valuable insights into the latest trends, best practices, and innovations in the industry, and had the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals who share the passion for creating positive change in the screen sector.
On the first day of the conference, attendees were welcomed by Iwan England (Head of Unscripted at S4C) and presented with the key findings of Wales’ first Wales Screen Workforce Survey by Dr Helen Davies (Research Fellow Screen Skills Innovation- Media Cymru- at USW). The survey provided insights into what is working well in the screen sector in Wales, as well as areas that need improvement. A key takeaway from the survey was how freelancers are unaware of the training opportunities and how to access them and the funds available. This led the way for the rest of the day, with panels and discussions on their needs and training providers and funders shared their training programs and initiatives to support career development in the sector. The day concluded with a networking opportunity for attendees to connect with each other and discuss the topics presented throughout the day.
Day two of the culture change conference was opened by Deputy Director of Creative Wales, Gerwyn Evans and a video from Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden. Guests were then treated to a keynote talk on putting diversity and inclusion into everything you do by Mel Rodrigues (Founder and CEO of Gritty Talent) “Don’t stand behind us, stand in front of us.” as well as a series of wide-ranging panels focused on these themes and innovative best practices and progressive approaches to improving working cultures in the screen sector. The panels covered a range of important topics including:
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Flexible working – In the screen sector, where long and irregular hours are often the norm, flexible working arrangements can help to attract and retain talent and improve overall job satisfaction.
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Addressing harassment and bullying – The prevalence of these issues in the screen sector were highlighted as well as the importance of taking action to address them. By creating a safe and respectful working environment, employers can improve employee morale and productivity. Co-founder of Call it! Delyth Thomas informed us about their app which aims to monitor and prevent bullying, harassment and all forms of discrimination in the workplace.
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Sustainability – A panel discussed the need for the screen sector to reduce its environmental impact and adopt more sustainable practices. This is becoming increasingly important as consumers and investors demand more environmentally responsible practices from businesses.
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Prioritising wellbeing over economic growth – The importance of creating a culture that values employee wellbeing above all else was discussed. By prioritising wellbeing, employers can improve employee retention, reduce absenteeism, and increase overall job satisfaction.
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Making the sector more inclusive – This panel, featuring actor Justin Melluish, discussed ways to make the screen sector more inclusive and diverse, particularly in terms of disabilities and how studios can cater for all people. By promoting diversity and inclusion, employers can improve the creativity and innovation of their teams and create a more welcoming and supportive workplace for all employees.
These discussions provided valuable insights and actionable strategies that attendees could take back to their organisations to implement positive change. Guests also had the opportunity to network with each other throughout and engage in 1-2-1 discussions with representatives from training providers and screen organisations. Overall, the second day and the conference as a whole was an informative and engaging experience that left myself and other attendees with a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the screen sector in Wales and how to create a more positive and inclusive working culture.
This conference was organised by USW as part of their Media Cymru project, Skills and Training. You can find out more about the aims of this project on the Media Cymru website. All panels from the session will be available to view on that page in the coming weeks.
Article written by John Evans
