The Broadcast Equality and Training Regulator
The Broadcast Equality and Training Regulator (BETR)* is a new body established in 2005 in a joint initiative between Ofcom, UK television and radio broadcasters and Skillset. It will play a key role in the new co-regulation system designed to ensure that cost-effective methods exist for planning, organising, facilitating and measuring the delivery of training in television and radio.
The overriding objective of the BETR is to ensure that television and radio broadcasters make appropriate and effective arrangements for training and retraining.
The BETR was established as part of a whole new regulatory framework for training and skills in the UK broadcast industries. Details of this new system are set out in the Memorandum of Understanding, signed at the beginning of May 2005, which confirms the partners' commitment to co-regulation and their agreement to some fundamental points.
The new system gives responsibility to broadcasters for setting objectives and standards for training, both individually and (as appropriate) collectively through Skillset. The BETR, made up of both independent and industry members, will oversee this process and assess whether the arrangements made by broadcasters for meeting their objectives are adequate.
If the BETR decides that remedies need to be put in place, broadcasters will be expected to take due account of this.
The BETR will also work with Skillset to ensure that appropriate research is carried out into skills gaps and training needs, and to encourage and facilitate best practice. Two specific tasks for the BETR will be to address the issue of funding the training of freelancers in television, and to recommend whether changes are needed to the arrangements for training in the radio sector.
By doing this the BETR and its co-regulatory partners are contributing to the maintenance of a suitably skilled broadcast workforce, and the provision of high quality programmes and services to viewers and listeners.
For more information on the BETR, follow the link below:
The Broadcast Equality and Training Regulator
More information on Skillset's TV strategy can be found by following these links:
*Previously called the Broadcast Training and Skills Regulator (BTSR)