Skillset aim to tackle postproduction skills threat

Senior figures from the broadcast postproduction sector, with the support of the IVCA and ChEFF, have formed a new initiative to combat skills issues threatening the competitiveness of the sector.
In partnership with Skillset, the initiative will consult with employers throughout the sector over the next two months and produce a skills action plan for the entire workforce from new entrants upwards.
Many working practices within the post sector have been revolutionised in recent years with the advent of new technologies. As more suites become one-man operations without the need for assistants, on the job training becomes time consuming and costly, at a time when budgets are increasingly tight.
Launching the initiative, Lawrence Catford, Director of Editing, DGP, said: “If we are to safeguard the standards of excellence in our industry which make London a leading postproduction centre in the world, commercial business sense dictates that these training issues must be put in the spotlight and action taken now.”
The initiative aims to consult with employers to establish specific sector skills needs, increase industry investment and improve dialogue with further and higher education providers to ensure new entrants are appropriately skilled.
Managing Director of Frontier Post Ltd, Neil Hatton said: “The time to support investment in our greatest asset, our human capital, is long overdue. But it is just the first step, and will only make an impact if employers support it and take part in the consultation.”
Postproduction sector employers wishing to participate in the consultation should contact Tim Macpherson on +44 (0) 870 243 0987.
(GB)