Skillset, Channel 4 And The Research Centre Train TV's Creative Leaders

Skillset has announced that it is partnering with Channel 4 and The Research Centre (TRC) to provide television producers with the managerial and leadership skills required to become Series Producers.
The programme, which is the first nationwide training initiative of its kind with training taking place in London and Manchester, will also include modules on diverse topics including multi-platform content, audience behaviour and financial management, and a unique opportunity to shadow a Channel 4 Commissioner.
Informal consultations held in 2007 with Skillset's Television Skills Committee led to the conclusion that there was a serious skills shortage at Series Producer level, particularly in the factual entertainment, factual and current affairs genres. In a swift response to these findings, Skillset put out a tender for training providers to create an appropriate programme and selected The Research Centre's 'Leading Edge' project, which offered the cutting-edge thinking and degree of ambition that Skillset was seeking.
The Research Centre has previously pioneered a range of innovative training solutions including the Series Producer Programme for the BBC's Nations and Regions.
Leading Edge comprises a combination of masterclasses led by industry specialists, group work facilitated by qualified training professionals and hands-on workshops. Each training session lasts one or two consecutive days per month and focuses on building skills across key areas. In addition, each producer will be afforded the opportunity of shadowing a Channel 4 commissioner for a week. This exceptional offer by Channel 4 will give delegates exclusive access to the broadcaster, providing insight and perspective of the Commissioner's role and work and helping to build critical relationships.
Following a highly competitive selection process, 10 experienced network producers have been selected to take part, six of whom are from London and four are from the UK's nations and regions: Wales, Yorkshire and the North West. The programme was open to freelance producers with significant and substantial programme making experience and a network track record.
The programme will be funded and supported in kind by the Skillset TV Freelance Fund, Channel 4, North West Vision and Media, Creative Business Wales and Screen Yorkshire.
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for Creative Media, which comprises TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging and publishing. Further information is available at: www.skillset.org.
Channel 4 has been Britain's most cutting edge and controversial broadcaster of the last two decades. Further information is available at: www.channel4.com.
TRC is an independent charity launched in 1998 as The Research Centre. Further information is available at: www.researchcentre.co.uk.
(KMcA/JM)