The unification will aim to create a stronger partnership between the two skills and talent development organisations. 

Richard Johnston, CEO of Endemol Shine UK and Creative Skillset’s Chair, commented, “Our TV and related sectors are thriving and in order to maintain our world leading position, generating huge value for the wider economy, a coherent and targeted skills strategy is essential.

"The merging of these two already complementary organisations makes great sense and will ultimately deliver a stronger and more strategic approach to meeting the training needs of the industry.”

Creative Skillset will combine it's skills and training with the non-for-profit organisation Indie Training Fund (ITF), which runs training courses in production, legal and business, drama, digital, technical and diversity for production companies and freelancers across the UK.

“This alliance between the ITF and Creative Skillset is great news for small and big indies, and for those working across TV and Film," said Nick Catliff, Joint MD of Lion TV and the Indie Training Fund’s Chair.

"The combined strengths of the two organisations will help to focus industry investment even more effectively on responding to changing skills needs.”

He added, "ITF and Creative Skillset can now work even more closely together, and with industry partners, to meet our industries’ requirements.”