ARE YOU THE NEXT SPIKE LEE?
21 February 2003
Or maybe you want to follow in the footsteps of Margarita Taylor and work in radio or rival Meera Syal in TV? Whatever media career you've been dreaming about, the Skillset Millennium Awards can help you make it a reality. Previous Awards winners have gone on to work with Ms Dynamite, land themselves jobs with top industry employers, and scoop national newspapers with exclusive celebrity interviews.
Funded by lottery money through the Millennium Commission, the Awards offer individuals from minority ethnic group a grant to complete a film, video, radio, website or print media project beneficial to their community, up to £10,000 worth of BBC training and the support needed to get their careers off the ground.
Carlton Chief Executive, joint MD of ITV and Skillset Chair Clive Jones said:
"The Awards have already helped many talented people realise an ambition by giving them that all important first break, bringing fresh new perspectives and ideas into our industry. The fourth round will launch the careers of many more. If you have what it takes to be one of them I'd urge you to contact Skillset now."
Media experience is not necessary but applicants must have an idea for a media project that will serve their community, they must be dedicated and enthusiastic about a career in the media and they must be over 18. The fourth and final round of Awards has now opened.
For an application pack contact Skillset on 020 7520 5779 or investment@skillset.org
Winners have a year to develop their projects before they are showcased to an audience of top industry figures who could help them up the career ladder. Projects in the first three rounds range from videos looking at British Chinese culture or encouraging more black students to go to University to websites exploring the heritage of Caribbean women or showcasing urban artistic talent.
Safiya Sayed Baharun won a sought after place on BBC Cardiff's journalism course after developing a radio project titled 'Arranged Marriage'. She said:
"This is a ground breaking scheme. It's given me the chance to develop my talent. To get the knowledge and skills I need to succeed. And that's not just having a positive impact on my career. It's good for my community and it's good for the media industry."
Launched last year to improve diversity within the audio visual industries, where minority ethnic groups are underrepresented, the Awards are managed by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries, in conjunction with the BBC.
-ENDS-
To arrange interviews with previous winners or Skillset Millennium Awards Project Manager Carol Jacobs please contact:
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. The Millennium Awards Scheme is part of a £200 million programme of grants to individuals administered by not for profit organisations across the UK and funded by the Millennium Commission.
Or maybe you want to follow in the footsteps of Margarita Taylor and work in radio or rival Meera Syal in TV? Whatever media career you've been dreaming about, the Skillset Millennium Awards can help you make it a reality. Previous Awards winners have gone on to work with Ms Dynamite, land themselves jobs with top industry employers, and scoop national newspapers with exclusive celebrity interviews.
Funded by lottery money through the Millennium Commission, the Awards offer individuals from minority ethnic group a grant to complete a film, video, radio, website or print media project beneficial to their community, up to £10,000 worth of BBC training and the support needed to get their careers off the ground.
Carlton Chief Executive, joint MD of ITV and Skillset Chair Clive Jones said:
"The Awards have already helped many talented people realise an ambition by giving them that all important first break, bringing fresh new perspectives and ideas into our industry. The fourth round will launch the careers of many more. If you have what it takes to be one of them I'd urge you to contact Skillset now."
Media experience is not necessary but applicants must have an idea for a media project that will serve their community, they must be dedicated and enthusiastic about a career in the media and they must be over 18. The fourth and final round of Awards has now opened.
For an application pack contact Skillset on 020 7520 5779 or investment@skillset.org
Winners have a year to develop their projects before they are showcased to an audience of top industry figures who could help them up the career ladder. Projects in the first three rounds range from videos looking at British Chinese culture or encouraging more black students to go to University to websites exploring the heritage of Caribbean women or showcasing urban artistic talent.
Safiya Sayed Baharun won a sought after place on BBC Cardiff's journalism course after developing a radio project titled 'Arranged Marriage'. She said:
"This is a ground breaking scheme. It's given me the chance to develop my talent. To get the knowledge and skills I need to succeed. And that's not just having a positive impact on my career. It's good for my community and it's good for the media industry."
Launched last year to improve diversity within the audio visual industries, where minority ethnic groups are underrepresented, the Awards are managed by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries, in conjunction with the BBC.
-ENDS-
To arrange interviews with previous winners or Skillset Millennium Awards Project Manager Carol Jacobs please contact:
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. The Millennium Awards Scheme is part of a £200 million programme of grants to individuals administered by not for profit organisations across the UK and funded by the Millennium Commission.