SKILLSET ANNOUNCE INDUSTRY INVESTMENT IN TRAINING

THE latest industry investment in training has been announced by Skillset, the National Training Organisation.
Nearly £300,000 of industry money will be distributed with 50 courses benefiting. TV writer training continues to be a priority with an extra £106,000 targeted at this area and career development for researchers who have entered the industry through ad-hoc pathways will be also subsidised.
Skillset manages two training funds on behalf of the industry, the Freelance Training Fund which the broadcasters and independent TV production companies contribute to, and the Skills Investment Fund which the British film industry contributes to.
The Skillset Investment Committee made up of industry representatives decides where the money should be spent against priorities. The investment subsidises short courses for freelances and new entrant programmes. In 2001 over £1.5m will be invested in total by the industry.
A total of fourteen courses are being subsidised in production ranging from ‘An Introduction to Production Managing a Documentary’ to ‘So you want to be a Producer’. There is also a focus on digital skills in the latest round of subsidies. Courses are available in digital camera, directing DV, digital sound and producing in multiple media (inc DVD Production).
Dinah Caine, Chief Executive of Skillset, said: “The investment committee decided to ensure money was made available for new skill development areas such as digital production whilst not forgetting the basis of programme making, scriptwriting. It was also decided there’s a need for some structured training for researchers as many have only had training on-the-job, which although essential, needs to go hand in hand with structured and planned training.”
Skillset was established in 1993, by the industry for the industry. In 1997 Skillset were one of the first National Training Organisations to be recognised by the government. Skillset exists to encourage the delivery of informed training provision so that the British broadcast, film, video and multimedia industry’s technical, creative and economic achievements are maintained and improved. (CD)