Committee's backing for Film Skills Strategy welcomed
Press Release
18 September 2003
Today's endorsement of the Film Skills Strategy - 'A Bigger Future' - by the all-party House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in their report 'Is there a British Film Industry', has been welcomed by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries, which produced the strategy in partnership with the UK Film Council.
Dinah Caine, Chief Executive of Skillset, who gave evidence to the committee, said:
"The committee's backing for the film skills strategy is very welcome. A Bigger Future is a comprehensive plan to equip the UK Film industry with world beating skills that will underpin its future commercial success. It is the result of extensive consultation with the film industry and responds to their well articulated needs. The committee's recognition of that and the emphasis the report places on the value of high quality skills to the sustainability and growth of the industry is very positive for the future."
The report states (para 133):
"The training and development strategy set out by Skillset and the UK Film Council is an impressive wish list of welcome developments. We believe that it strikes the right notes, particularly on equal access, business skills and cooperation with the industry. We look forward to receiving regular reports regarding progress with its implementation."
A Bigger Future is a ground-breaking £10 million a year package of measures for at least five years, geared to attract Britain's brightest and best into a career in the film industry. Proposals in the strategy include:
· Creating centres of excellence for film in the form of a new national network of Screen Academies, based in existing further, higher and post-graduate educational institutions across the UK.
· Creating a new film business academy to raise the level of business skills and the leadership and effective management of film production, distribution and exhibition companies throughout the UK.
· Introducing a new industry approvals system for film courses in higher education.
· Improving the quality and availability of film-related careers advice (in a number of ways including an internet 'one-stop shop') for those wanting to join the industry from schools, colleges.
-ENDS-
A full copy of A Bigger Future is available at www.skillset.org
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE: Eve Ragout 020 7520 5752 / 07968 010 325 eve@skillset.org
Notes to Editor
1. A Bigger Future is a joint strategy developed by the UK Film Council and Skillset with the support of the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission, Scottish Screen and Sgrin Cymru Wales. The Film Skills Action Group included representatives of all sections of the UK film industry.
2. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. Audio visual industries in this context means, the Broadcast, Film, Video and Interactive Media Industries. Skillset was the first Sector Skills Council to be licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by Ministers in the devolved administrations in 2002 to tackle the skills and productivity challenge. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector.
3. The UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad. We invest Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in film development and production; training; international development, export promotion; distribution and exhibition; and education. Our aim is to deliver lasting benefits to the industry and the public alike through: creativity - encouraging the development of new talent, skills, and creative and technological innovation in UK film and assisting new and established film-makers to produce successful and distinctive British films; enterprise - supporting the creation and growth of sustainable businesses in the film sector, providing access to finance and helping the UK film industry compete successfully in the domestic and global marketplace; imagination - promoting education and an appreciation and enjoyment of cinema by giving UK audiences access to the widest range of UK and international cinema, and by supporting film culture and heritage.
18 September 2003
Today's endorsement of the Film Skills Strategy - 'A Bigger Future' - by the all-party House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in their report 'Is there a British Film Industry', has been welcomed by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries, which produced the strategy in partnership with the UK Film Council.
Dinah Caine, Chief Executive of Skillset, who gave evidence to the committee, said:
"The committee's backing for the film skills strategy is very welcome. A Bigger Future is a comprehensive plan to equip the UK Film industry with world beating skills that will underpin its future commercial success. It is the result of extensive consultation with the film industry and responds to their well articulated needs. The committee's recognition of that and the emphasis the report places on the value of high quality skills to the sustainability and growth of the industry is very positive for the future."
The report states (para 133):
"The training and development strategy set out by Skillset and the UK Film Council is an impressive wish list of welcome developments. We believe that it strikes the right notes, particularly on equal access, business skills and cooperation with the industry. We look forward to receiving regular reports regarding progress with its implementation."
A Bigger Future is a ground-breaking £10 million a year package of measures for at least five years, geared to attract Britain's brightest and best into a career in the film industry. Proposals in the strategy include:
· Creating centres of excellence for film in the form of a new national network of Screen Academies, based in existing further, higher and post-graduate educational institutions across the UK.
· Creating a new film business academy to raise the level of business skills and the leadership and effective management of film production, distribution and exhibition companies throughout the UK.
· Introducing a new industry approvals system for film courses in higher education.
· Improving the quality and availability of film-related careers advice (in a number of ways including an internet 'one-stop shop') for those wanting to join the industry from schools, colleges.
A full copy of A Bigger Future is available at www.skillset.org
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE: Eve Ragout 020 7520 5752 / 07968 010 325 eve@skillset.org
Notes to Editor
1. A Bigger Future is a joint strategy developed by the UK Film Council and Skillset with the support of the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission, Scottish Screen and Sgrin Cymru Wales. The Film Skills Action Group included representatives of all sections of the UK film industry.
2. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. Audio visual industries in this context means, the Broadcast, Film, Video and Interactive Media Industries. Skillset was the first Sector Skills Council to be licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by Ministers in the devolved administrations in 2002 to tackle the skills and productivity challenge. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector.
3. The UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad. We invest Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in film development and production; training; international development, export promotion; distribution and exhibition; and education. Our aim is to deliver lasting benefits to the industry and the public alike through: creativity - encouraging the development of new talent, skills, and creative and technological innovation in UK film and assisting new and established film-makers to produce successful and distinctive British films; enterprise - supporting the creation and growth of sustainable businesses in the film sector, providing access to finance and helping the UK film industry compete successfully in the domestic and global marketplace; imagination - promoting education and an appreciation and enjoyment of cinema by giving UK audiences access to the widest range of UK and international cinema, and by supporting film culture and heritage.