Skillset invests to transform unique UK archives for future generations
13 January 2010
Major initiatives are launching across the country to preserve and transform Britain's unique moving image archives for future generations.
Skillset's archives skills programme is pioneering several schemes to make sure professionals have the know-how to preserve and manage materials, from old film to contemporary digital content.
The Sector Skills Council for Creative Media is investing £255,000 to support organisations to run nine initiatives in areas where there is a skills shortage. The UK's rich and diverse moving images archive sector has an ageing workforce, lack of new entrants and lack of available information about career opportunities.
Initiatives include:
- Introduction to Audiovisual Archive Training Week, run by Focal International Ltd in Manchester, running to Nov 2010 - includes an overview of formats for film and tape, preservation and restoration, tape handling and cataloguing;
- Short intensive courses in Wales on Archive Media Management, run by Cyfle, focusing on demands of digitisation and new technologies;
- Archiving the Future at York St John University, on February 27 and Nov 28;
- Society of Archivists Core Training in Audio Visual Archives - various locations and dates;
- FT2 - bite-size one-day modular courses for people working in the archive sector on new digital technologies and on copyright;
- BAPLA's Digital Asset Management and Rights Clearance course on 25 and 26 March.
Skillset's Director of Film Neil Peplow said: "Our archives are a national treasure, brimming with rich material for current and future generations. But we are facing serious challenges, which much be addressed urgently if this material is to be preserved and enjoyed.
"Skillset is delighted to be leading an exciting programme of initiatives to plug skills gaps, share vital knowledge and train up the next generation of professionals to take charge of our country's moving image archive."
This programme has been developed following on from the Strategy for UK Screen Heritage, Screen Heritage UK, which is funded through a £25million Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) investment. It is supported by the Skillset Film Fund and UK Film Council Digital Film Archive Fund.
Click here for case studies of archive sector professionals.
For more information on courses please contact Sarah Trigg on 020 7713 9858.
-Ends-
Media enquiries
Jennifer Walters
Skillset Press and PR Manager
t: 0207 713 9854
e: jenniferw@skillset.org
Nicholas Sheridan
Skillset press and PR Officer
t: 020 7713 9854
e: nicks@skillset.org
Out-of-hours: 07827 989 330.
Notes to Editors
- Skillset is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Creative Media which comprises TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging and publishing. SSCs are licensed by the UK Government and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. They are independent, UK-wide organisations, are employer-led, and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the industry.