FT2 graduates set to join industry

FT2 have announced the graduation of a further six new entrant trainees who are set to join the film and television industry.
This group has the distinction of starting their training as the first FT2 trainees funded by the feature film industry's Skills Investment Fund (managed by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries). At the end of their two years of training they are the first group of FT2 trainees who received funding from London Central Learning and Skills Council.
Michael O'Sullivan, Senior Vice President - International, Paramount Pictures, representing the Motion Picture Association, who presents certificates tonight to the FT2 graduates, said: "The entire film industry is aware that FT2 is the foremost provider of technical skills training required for the film workforce of the future. It is therefore incredibly important that they receive support from the whole of the industry.
"The introduction of the film production levy in 1999, a direct response to the film policy review, has delivered significant additional funds for film industry training. Those funds have formed the base for the skills investment fund. An immediate benefit from the fund was the ability for FT2 to start these additional six trainees two years ago. We now see the fruit of that investment, six new graduates looking to further their careers in various grades of our film production industry. We wish them all great success for the future and I am sure that they will be a credit both to themselves and FT2."
Jacqui Henderson, Executive Director of London Central Learning and Skills Council (LSC) congratulated all the graduating trainees and wished them well as they launched their careers. Henderson said: "As we have identified at the LSC, the creative industries are one of our key sectors for workforce development, so it complements our activities to work with FT2 to help deliver on our objectives."
Dinah Caine, Skillset Chief Executive, said: "Skillset's relationship with FT2 goes back many years and they continue to be one of the key suppliers of high quality entrants to our sector. It is great to see the first trainees graduate who have been funded by the Skills Investment Fund. This is a tangible result of British productions contributing to the fund. It is thanks to these productions and their commitment to the future that these six young people now have the skills and experience to kick start their careers."
(SP)