Secretary of State visits Skillset Bournemouth Screen Academy
Monday 24 September 2007
Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham visited student filmmakers at the Skillset Bournemouth Screen Academy (BSA) at the Arts Institute at Bournemouth and Bournemouth Media School (BMS) at Bournemouth University on Monday 24th September 2007.
Mr Denham's visit highlighted the success of the Skillset Screen Academy Network, a UK-wide group of just six Centres of Excellence in film education and training. These institutions were identified by Skillset on behalf of the UK film industry as those offering the highest quality of innovation, education and skills. The network is part of a strategy to ensure that the UK has the most talented and skilled workforce in the world.
Mr Denham visited Bournemouth Screen Academy's headquarters and toured film production facilities on both campuses, led by Professor Stuart Bartholomew, Principal of the Arts Institute at Bournemouth; Professor Paul Curran, Vice Chancellor of Bournemouth University; Stephen Jukes, Head of Bournemouth Media School; and David Hanson, Director of Bournemouth Screen Academy.
Mr Denham was escorted by Skillset's Dinah Caine and Kate O'Connor who have developed and led the Screen Academy initiative on behalf of the industry.
The establishment of the BSA has strengthened the partnership between two of the most highly regarded media training institutions in the UK. In a very short time it is already making a significant and fundamental impact on the quality of training and education for the brightest and best talent from all backgrounds seeking a sustainable career in the UK film industry. The BSA has, to date, developed a number of successful film training initiatives including summer schools, mentoring schemes for students, graduates and staff, curriculum development and targeted bursaries to assist young people in higher education.
Mr John Denham said: "The Skillset Bournemouth Screen Academy and Skillset Screen Academy Network has very quickly established an outstanding record in producing highly-skilled, industry-ready professionals for a creative and technically demanding industry. It is an industry that is tremendously important - worth £4.3 billion to the UK economy last year."
He added: "The UK film industry is littered with success stories as British-trained talent including directors, screenwriters, film editors and actors cut a swathe through a very competitive global marketplace. Our people are seen as being the best of the best and are highly sought after. The network of Skillset Screen Academies play a crucial role in giving the UK the edge when it comes to developing the most talented and skilled workforce in the world, both now and in the future."
Dinah Caine said: "Skillset is delighted with the early successes of the Screen Academies network. The Skillset Bournemouth Screen Academy is a great example of what can be achieved when employers, Sector Skills Councils, higher and further education institutions and Government work together to map out the workforce training and education requirements needed by industry to stay at the forefront of global competitiveness."
Stephen Jukes said: "The Bournemouth Screen Academy is a flagship in the Skillset Academy Network and Bournemouth itself is now firmly established as one of the leading centres in England for training and education for the screen-based industries."
Stuart Bartholomew added: "UK Directors, Screenwriters, Producers and Technicians are the international force in cinema. This Bournemouth Screen Academy is a launch pad which will sustain and enhance UK creative talent."
-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
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 UK Government 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. The Bournemouth Screen Academy (BSA) is a joint initiative between the Arts Institute at Bournemouth and the Bournemouth University Media School and funded by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries. The BSA is the only Skillset centre of excellence in the South of England in all areas of filmmaking. Shared launch funding from Skillset, worth over £5 million across the national Screen Academy network, goes to support film-related courses provided by the two institutions through the development of master classes, summer schools, online learning programmes, talent scouting initiatives and more.
For more information please contact:
Rajiv Maharaj - rajivm@skillset.org
Phone: 02077 139812
Mobile: 07968 010325