Induction to audio visual industries certificate launched
250 new entrants to take new industry introduction course to help businesses.
LONDON: Skillset today announced a new industry induction certificate for new entrants across the audio visual industries. The induction scheme is a response to industry feedback about a lack of work readiness amongst new entrants and covers key cross-sector skills including business enterprise, current and emerging technologies, and health and safety. 250 new entrants will benefit from the being run by training providers across London until December 2006.
The City & Guilds level 2 Audio Visual Industry Induction Certificate represents £1600 worth of training per person but will be available for free thanks to funding Skillset secured from the European Social Fund and the five London Learning and Skills Councils. To be eligible individuals must be a freelance worker or employee of a small to medium sized enterprise in the audio visual industries in London and have worked for more than one day but less than one year.
Mary Timlin, Vice President Human Resources, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, said:
"Jobs in the audio visual industry have the glam factor which is why our industries are a popular destination for many young people. Skillset is launching this tailored certificate as an answer to a problem employers often experience namely that some new entrants lack commercial knowledge or an appreciation of the realities of working in the industry. Smaller companies do not have the resources, either time or money, to provide the basic skills for the one or two new employees that they recruit each year. This innovative training programme will enable new entrants to acquire essential skills and knowledge from people who understand the industry."
Dinah Caine, Chief Executive, Skillset, said:
"We are continually consulting with industry to keep up with changing skills needs and identify solutions and we kept hearing feedback on new entrants not being ready for life in the workplace. The Skillset Industry Induction Certificate has been developed specifically to improve that, giving new entrants a broad overview of the sectors and how they interrelate and a better understanding of different job roles and the skills needed to do them. It is exactly what employers have told us they need."
Martin Spence, Assistant General Secretary, BECTU, said:
"Our industries are subject to constant change, but one thing stays the same: every year thousands more young people join the throng trying to find work. This is difficult for employers, many of them small companies without the resources to give new entrants proper training and support. And it's difficult for the young people who don't know what's expected of them. We hope Skillset's Induction Certificate will make a difference, by giving new entrants an understanding of the industry they're coming into, so that companies can help them realise their full potential."
The training providers delivering the scheme are 01zero-one and the BBC; VET and FT2; the Video College; and Richmond Adult Community College.
The Skillset Industry Induction Certificate consists of four units:
For further media enquiries please contact:
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 covering Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. 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. VET is a leading industry training provider with an excellent reputation for current, accurate and accessible short courses. We teach in small groups on the latest equipment with the best tutors. This funding via Skillset will provide training for freelances in key areas: Avid Adrenaline; DV Camera Operation; combined shooting and editing courses using DV and Avid or Final Cut Pro; and web-based video. Our course designers and tutors are highly experienced, working professionals with a real understanding of the issues facing the industry today.
3. 01zero-one is a unique facility for creative learning, skills development and networking in the heart of Soho; www.01zero-one.co.uk . It services London's TV, Film, Post Production and New Media industries by offering short courses, networks, talks, events, showcases and private hire facilities to industry freelancers, employees and new entrants. Membership to its InSync network is free, with it members get 10% discount off all our 01zero-one courses and invitations to its network events. 01zero-one's facilities include two multimedia rooms, Avid & Mac video editing, TV Studio, a creative workshop/brainstorming room and flexible space for workshops, seminars, exhibitions and events. Its Patrons are the Rt Hon Chris Smith and Michael Grade CBE. 01zero-one is part of Westminster Kingsway College and is funded by the London Development Agency. The initiative has been developed with support from the Learning and Skills Council and in consultation with Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual industries.
4. BBC Training and Development is responsible for training and development across the BBC and the broadcast industry covering areas like television, radio, new media and broadcast engineering. During 2004 the division delivered a total of 11,214 formal courses for over 32,000 people inside and outside the BBC as well as 2,500 training days to over 300 organisations worldwide and to more than 250 freelancers.
5. Richmond Adult Community College (RACC) provides a range of vocational courses in an adult learning environment. Recognised as an outstanding college, RACC was awarded funding to develop a Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) in Digital Design and New Media in November 2003. Delivered in the specialist environment of Richmond Business School, the award has enabled the CoVE to develop a demand led curriculum based on the skills shortages in key creative industries such as Video, Film and Photography, Digital Publishing and Digital Design. Richmond Business School offers a range of products to employers including tailor-made training programmes, conference facility hire and design services. More information is available at: http://www.racc.ac.uk/rbs/
6. The Video College runs free, hands-on, production-based video training for those traditionally under-represented in the film and television industries. Its tutors are working professionals who provide high-quality training in craft and production skills and introduce trainees to the reality of working in a fast-changing industry. Employers comment that The Video College trainees are equipped with the technical know-how and the attitude necessary to succeed in a competitive world. Its Patrons are Mike Hodges, Julie Christie, John Ritchie and Roger Graef and The Video College is one of five training providers nationally to gain approval from Skillset as an Industry Training Provider. The Industry Inductions scheme offers a great opportunity for new employees and freelancers to gain a real understanding of what employers need from them if they're to get ahead.
7. Established in 1985, FT2 (Film and Television Freelance Training) is a not for profit training organization with charitable status and company limited by guarantee. FT2 is managed by a Board of Management made up of representatives from the APA (Advertising Producers Associations), the BBC, BECTU (Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theater Union),Channel 4 Television, the ITVA (Independent Television Association), the MPA (Motion Picture Associations) and PACT (Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television). FT2 provides apprenticeships-style new entrant training for young people wishing to establish freelance careers in junior technical, production and craft areas of the industry. FT2 is a Skillset Approved Training Provider, an Investors in people organization, and an Assessment Centre for the Skillset industry qualifications and for the new City & Guilds Grips qualifications. FT2's New Entrant Technical Training Programme won a National Training Award in 2002 and the Independent Companies Researcher Training Scheme (which FT2 manages on behalf of a group of independent production companies) achieved a Greater London Training Award in 2005. Further information from Sharon Goode on 0207 407 0344 or from our website www.ft2.org.uk.
