TV Strategy Industry Comment
What the industry says:
Mark Thompson, Director General, BBC:
"Broadcasters have a responsibility to ensure that the skills we need, and that our audiences demand, are both preserved and developed upon as technologies change. Through collaboration across the industry and beyond, this strategy aims to support a sustainable and truly diverse UK broadcasting skills base into the foreseeable future."
Andy Duncan, Chief Executive, Channel 4:
"TV is now a global business and we've got to have our eye on tomorrow's market and the workforce we need to compete at the highest level within it. This strategy will help attract and, more importantly retain, the very best skilled and diverse talent giving us the edge in an increasingly tough marketplace."
Charles Allen, Chief Executive, ITV:
"I welcome this strategy. I think it's going to be good for our workforce and for our business. I also congratulate Skillset, of which I am a Patron, for developing a realistic and innovative plan of action with genuine support and commitment from across the industry."
Jane Lighting, Chief Executive, five:
"This strategy has been made possible by the industry coming together via Skillset and working in partnership. Developing the talent of existing professionals and new entrants is an industry wide issue and this is an industry wide approach to tackling it. By working together we will achieve far greater impact where it matters most."
Dawn Airey, Chief Executive, Sky:
"Skills and talent are fundamental to the industry's future competitive edge. Ensuring the skills of our workforce develop in line with the changing demands industry makes on them has to be our focus going forward."
Donald Emslie, Chief Executive, SMG Television and Chair, Scottish Industry Skills Panel:
"The launch of Skillset's TV Skills Strategy coincides with an unprecedented level of opportunity for TV broadcast and production in Scotland. With both SMG and BBC Scotland investing millions of pounds in new state-of-the-art facilities in Glasgow, and the continued drive to increase the level of network production sourced from outside London there has never been a better time to invest in the development of skills. This strategy will lead the way to new opportunities across the workforce."
Iona Jones, Chief Executive, S4C, and Chair, Skillset Cymru:
"I welcome the launch of Skillset's UK-wide TV Skills Strategy. The television sector offers the possibility of significant opportunities for growth and it is currently economically vital to the industry in Wales, underpinning much of the activity in related sectors, such as facilities and film. Our focus now in Wales is to work with the Welsh Assembly Government through our Sector Skills Agreement to ensure that we invest in appropriate training so that the sector can access the skills and people that it needs to achieve its full potential."
Mairéad Regan, Group HR Director UTV plc and Chair, Northern Ireland Skills Panel:
"I am delighted to support the launch of Skillset's TV Skills Strategy which comes at a time when there is a tremendous opportunity for TV broadcast and production in Northern Ireland as there is now greater demand for network production from outside London. This strategy will further develop the skills, capacity and capability of the workforce in Northern Ireland."
Roger Bolton, General Secretary, Bectu, on behalf of the Federation of Entertainment Unions:
"The entertainment unions have always worked closely with Skillset and the broadcasters to encourage more investment in skills as it is so critical for our workforce. I'm glad we now have a more formal strategy with real commitments to investment across the board. The FEU will be playing its part with a number of new initiatives and activities for our members and the wider workforce."
Darren Poynton, Finance Director, National Geographic Channel Europe said:
"This is an innovative strategy. Businesses, employees and freelancers alike will benefit. I'm sure it will be welcomed by the cable and satellite sector."
Felicity Gillespie, Chief Executive, Broadcast Training and Skills Regulator:
"The BTSR welcomes the comprehensive and collaborative approach taken by Skillset in preparing this strategy for meeting the skills needs of the industry. The strategy will only be successful if broadcasters commit to individual action, relevant in the context of their own business needs which in turn supports, sustains and enhances the skills base for the whole industry."
Charles Wace, CEO Twofour Group and Pact Chair of Nations and Regions:
"It is really important that this strategy is able to link up the public funding opportunities available in the nations and English regions with the industry's own training investment, to ensure that the UK television sector maintains and develops its global influence."
Gaynor Davenport, Chief Executive, UK Post:
It's an absolute imperative that we retain a world class position in terms of post production and effects and this can only be achieve if we have a world class skills base both now and in the future."
