Irish Language Broadcast Fund launch pilot training scheme

The Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF) has created a new broadcasting and training pilot scheme in conjunction with Northern Ireland ’s local TV services.
This strategy will ringfence funding for Irish language TV programmes to be produced and broadcast by local TV services - Channel 9 (c9tv) in Derry and Northern Visions (NvTv) in Belfast. The strategy also provides funding for a year long training scheme during which trainees will produce Irish language TV programmes for broadcast on NvTv and on Channel 9.
“This is an innovative and exciting new scheme,” said Máire Killoran, head of the Irish Language Broadcast Fund. “We are delighted to be working in close collaboration with the local TV services. The scheme is an opportunity for the ILBF to fulfil its training remit and to ensure Irish language programming is broadcast on local TV in Northern Ireland.”
David Hyndman, Community Media Director at Northern Visions, said: “Local television is a very recent development in the UK and Northern Ireland has been at the forefront in providing opportunities for local communities to participate in making television programming.
“This is a very welcome scheme which will build on that experience and help to ensure that the needs of our local Irish speaking communities are met through a diversity of broadcasting services.”
Gary Porter, Head of Channel 9, said: “I applaud the vision of the ILBF in developing this innovative training programme for development of Irish language content on local television services. Channel 9 has an excellent track record in furnishing staff with the skills necessary to succeed in television at both regional and national levels. We are confident that Irish speaking viewers in the north west will soon be enjoying their own unique TV programmes to both watch and participate in.”
Under the year long scheme which begins in January 2006, four trainees will be placed with the local TV services and will be trained in all aspects of television production. The trainees will be paid the statutory minimum wage for the duration of the scheme by the Irish Language Broadcast Fund. The trainees will produce Irish language TV programmes which will be broadcast on the local TV services throughout the year.
The ILBF has assigned £50,000 per annum towards the production of Irish language programmes by the local TV services. This cost is over and above the cost of the trainees’ wages for the duration of the year long course.
The training scheme will begin in January 2006. Candidates may obtain an application pack on the NIFTC’s website at www.niftc.co.uk. Deadline for applications is December 2 2005 .
Candidates must be fluent in Irish. Practical and/or academic experience in media or technology is desirable. Trainees will be contracted to the NIFTC for the duration of the scheme and will be paid the statutory minimum wage of £202 per week.
(GB)