Skillset Film Training Fund Makes A Quantum Leap To Hit £6 Million

The Skills Investment Fund (SIF) has reached £6 million, thanks to the contributions from films being produced in the UK.
This year has seen contributions from 'Quantum of Solace', 'The Duchess', 'Easy Virtue', RocknRolla' and 'Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging' to name a few.
Since the SIF launched in 1999, 515 productions have contributed. Invested into training initiatives through the Skillset Film Skills Fund, it has helped pay for nearly 300 new entrant production trainees; more than 1,000 bursaries for film practitioners to access their chosen training; and enabled Skillset to subsidise the cost of over 11,0000 places on training courses, seminars and masterclasses for professionals already working in the industry.
'Bond' producer Barbara Broccoli said: "The UK film industry has a worldwide reputation for highly skilled crews. Commercially, we benefit greatly from this well deserved reputation and to maintain it we must support the workforce and their continual development. The SIF levy is a vital way of doing that, with contributions being invested in the production talent that helps the UK compete globally."
Kay di Rezze recently completed the Skillset-funded Production Guild's Assistant Production Accountant scheme. She said: "Getting on a scheme like this was fantastic. They give you so much information on the industry, who does what and what the protocols are. They really show you how things work. I'd been trying to get into the film industry for five or six years. Skillset opened a massive door of opportunity for me."
The Skillset Investment Fund (SIF) is a training levy on theatrical film production which is administered by Skillset and which funds skills and training initiatives across the film production industry. Following an industry consultation, 2009 will see the levy become mandatory with the establishment of the Film Industry Training Board (FITB).
Acclaimed Producer Iain Smith ('Wanted', 'Children of Men') was appointed Chair of the FITB in February 2008 and is leading the process of changing the SIF from a voluntary to a mandatory levy.
(KMcA)