£300k Bursary Scheme Launched To Develop Multiplatform Skills

Skillset's TV Freelance Fund will grant £300,000 worth of multiplatform training bursaries to TV professionals over the next year.
The scheme will give professionals from across the industry the opportunity to gain skills in one of the key growth areas in television production. Skillset's research has found that the ability of individuals to produce quality content for multiple platforms is one of the biggest skills gaps in the Creative Media Industries.
Bursaries of up to £800 for freelancers and £500 for company employees are currently available for more than 30 multiplatform courses, with more courses being added all of the time.
This is the second year that Skillset's TV Skills Council, which comprises ten senior figures from within the television industry, has identified multiplatform as a priority training area.
Peter Dale, TV Skills Council Chair and Founder of independent production company, Rare Day, said: "Multiplatform productions are becoming more and more important to our industry, and so too is the need for people within our industry to possess the relevant skills. We hope that this scheme will help our TV professionals stay ahead of the curve as our industry travels in this exciting new direction."
Jo Taylor, Head of Learning & 4talent and member of the TV Skills Council said: "Multiplatform ideas and content are now at the heart of every discussion with our independent production partners here at Channel 4. With multiplatform programming becoming ubiquitous, we believe it is key for freelancers wanting to take their career forward in this industry that they possess and develop these skills."
Skillset's Chief Executive, Dinah Caine, said: "While the TV industry has faced some serious challenges in recent years, the growth in multiplatform programming has been a genuine cause for optimism. We hope this scheme will help to facilitate this growth as more of our professionals gain the skills they need to work on multiplatform productions."
The TVFF is made up of voluntary contributions from the BBC, Channel 4, Five, the Indie Training Fund (via contributions from member companies), Sky and other cable and satellite companies, and is designed to invest in training for the entire television workforce. The TVFF is committed to increasing the diversity of the television workforce, and assisting the development of TV professionals across the entire UK, not just in the traditional centres of production.
To apply for a Multiplatform Bursary, or for more information, please visit: www.skillset.org/multiplatformbursaries
(BMcN/KMcA)