New post production trainee scheme announced for Wales
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the Creative Media Industries, and Soho Editors have partnered with Barcud Derwen, the UK's largest television facilities company outside London, to deliver the First Post Scheme in Wales.
First Post, the innovative new entrant trainee scheme for the post production industry, will be held in Wales starting next month. This modular scheme covering technical, commercial and customer skills has already been successfully piloted in companies across London.
The project was originally created by Skillset in collaboration with the post production industry, with the support of UK Screen (formerly UK Post) and trade associations. The scheme is designed to help employers provide structured professional development for junior members of staff within facility houses and production companies.
Gwawr Hughes, Director of Skillset Cymru, said: "We are very pleased First Post is coming to Wales and run by Barcud Derwen, one of the UK's largest facilities companies. Trainees will receive a thorough grounding in technical operations, customer and commercial skills. It will be held over three weeks, one week a month, with day release sessions including interactive learning, classroom lectures, visits to different facilities and presentations from industry experts."
Bryn Roberts, Group Managing Director of Barcud Derwen - the company delivering the scheme - said: "First Post Wales will equip participants with the skills employers really want. It has been informed by UK Post & Services, the trade body that represents the film and broadcast service industry and by the companies who send members of staff on the course."
The Scheme will start in September 2007 and will be subsidised by the Welsh Assembly Government. Ongoing consultation with the sectors will continue throughout the project to address industry changes.
Barcud Derwen are now recruiting companies interested in sending staff on the scheme. Further details can be obtained by contacting vickyj@skillset.org
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For further press information contact:
Rajiv Maharaj, Press and PR Manager
rajivm@skillset.org
020 7713 9812
Editor's Notes
1. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Creative Media 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. Post production is an important sector in the UK, employing an estimated 15,000 people with a turnover of close to £1.4 billion per annum. According to the Skillset Employment Census and Skillset's Sector Skills Agreement (SSA) for Wales, the facilities sector employs 258 people in Wales (including freelancers working on Census Day) with post-production accounting for 143 jobs and studio/equipment hire providing work for 116 people. Skillset research into the issues threatening the future of this sector has highlighted the need for a structured new entrant training scheme.