RAISING THE GAME - Skillset and City & Guilds address industry needs
Skillset and City & Guilds announced today (1 December 2005) their intention to realign industry qualifications and develop a cohesive framework with clear career pathways that allow audio visual professionals to progress within their specialist field.
In a collaborative agreement, both organisations have agreed to develop a full range of vocational qualifications that meet the changing needs and priorities of the UK's audio visual industry and bridge gaps in the existing provision.
Specialist qualifications for grips, crane operators and lighting technicians are being devised whilst City & Guilds Level 3 Media Techniques will now be reviewed annually to accommodate technical changes and it will be expanded to cover further occupational areas. Skillset and City & Guilds have identified several key priority areas following a comprehensive review of the qualifications market.
By pooling their resources, both organisations aim to respond to a need for occupationally specific qualifications in discrete occupational areas as well as tackle the lack of awareness that new entrants into the profession have of industry needs.
Dinah Caine, Chief Executive of Skillset, said: "Our sector is fast-moving and has many specialisms. It has identified that it needs tailored, flexible qualifications to meet industry need and it has tasked us with leading on this development. City & Guilds is the ideal strategic partner for this development and I look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship."
Chris Humphries, director-general of City & Guilds, said: 'If the UK's audio visual industry is set to enjoy continued economic growth and gain a global reputation for excellence based on high level craft, technical and creative skills, it needs to be supported by qualifications and training that serve the diverse nature of the industry and accommodate sector growth.'
ENDS
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE
Eve Ragout eve@skillset.org
07968 010 325 / 020 7520 5752
Notes to Editor
- City and Guilds is the UK's leading awarding body for work-related qualifications. In total the organisation awards 1.3 million certificates to learners each year on over 500 subjects ranging from audio-visual to catering, management skills to manufacturing. Established in 1878 to provide greater access to education and training to the community, the charity offers qualifications from entry level to post-graduate and offers fellowships to those who have excelled in their chosen fields.
- Skillset is the sector skills council for the audiovisual industries that comprise broadcast, film, video, interactive media and photo imaging. Licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by ministers in the devolved administrations, Skillset's role is to make sure that the UK audiovisual industries have the right people with the right skills in the right place at the right time.
- 450,000 people work in the audiovisual industries. Key areas include interactive media and television, each employing more than 50,000 and film which employs more than 30,000.
