Broadcast Post Production Combats Skills Threat
04 March 2003
Senior figures from the broadcast post production 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 Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries, 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 post production 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 Frontier Post Ltd, Neil Hatton said:
"The time to support our 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."
Post production sector employers wishing to participate in the consultation should contact Tim Macpherson on 0870 243 0987 or e-mail tim@blue2-i.com
-ENDS-
For more information please contact the SKILLSET press office:
Eve Ragout 020 7520 5752 / 07968 010 325 eve@skillset.org
Notes to Editor
1. 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.
2. Members of the Post Production Initiative are: Rowan Bray, General Manager, DGP; Lawrence Catford, Director of Editing, DGP; Neil Hatton, Managing Director, Frontier Post Ltd; Charlie Leonard, Managing Director, NATS.
3. The Chief Engineers of Facilities Forum represents the views of the UK TV facilities industry on engineering and operational matters. It provides a focal point for dialogue with the broadcasters, standards bodies, government organisations, manufacturers, and equipment suppliers as well as between its own member companies.
4. The International Visual Communication Association is the largest trade body of its kind in Europe for everyone involved in the diverse and influential world of business media. Membership is essential for clients, creatives and service providers who wish to succeed in the new Millennium. The Association is at the cutting edge of development in business communication and we represent the very best of both new and traditional media skills."
Senior figures from the broadcast post production 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 Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries, 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 post production 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 Frontier Post Ltd, Neil Hatton said:
"The time to support our 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."
Post production sector employers wishing to participate in the consultation should contact Tim Macpherson on 0870 243 0987 or e-mail tim@blue2-i.com
-ENDS-
For more information please contact the SKILLSET press office:
Eve Ragout 020 7520 5752 / 07968 010 325 eve@skillset.org
Notes to Editor
1. 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.
2. Members of the Post Production Initiative are: Rowan Bray, General Manager, DGP; Lawrence Catford, Director of Editing, DGP; Neil Hatton, Managing Director, Frontier Post Ltd; Charlie Leonard, Managing Director, NATS.
3. The Chief Engineers of Facilities Forum represents the views of the UK TV facilities industry on engineering and operational matters. It provides a focal point for dialogue with the broadcasters, standards bodies, government organisations, manufacturers, and equipment suppliers as well as between its own member companies.
4. The International Visual Communication Association is the largest trade body of its kind in Europe for everyone involved in the diverse and influential world of business media. Membership is essential for clients, creatives and service providers who wish to succeed in the new Millennium. The Association is at the cutting edge of development in business communication and we represent the very best of both new and traditional media skills."
