Skillset TV Skills Fund: Funding priorities

The Skillset TV Skills Fund supports training for both freelancers and employees in the UK television industry.

Projects supported by the Skillset TV Skills Fund must show benefit to the industry across the UK and respond to the current needs of the industry in addressing skills gaps and shortages. So, in taking a course supported by the Fund, you'll know that you're gaining skills that are in high demand.

The funding priorities change according to the way the needs of the TV industry change over time.

Funding priorities for 2011-12 are:

Multiplatform
People now consume content over a number of platforms and programmes commissioned for TV are frequently viewed via the internet, mobile phones and iPods. 360 degree commissioning is becoming the norm rather than the exception. It is vital that everyone working in television adapts to this new landscape so that the industry remains highly skilled and competitive.

New entrants to the industry and professionals in junior roles
Within the context of limited resources and employment opportunities, the Skillset TV Skills Fund is currently seeking to support training courses for new entrants and professionals in junior roles, aligned with industry requirements across a full range of genres and disciplines, and targeted at skills required for cross platform content production.

Management and Leadership
In order for the UK TV industry to continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive, globalised and multiplatform market, it needs to develop innovative and effective managers and leaders. TVFF is funding a bursary scheme to allow TV practitioners to access relevant and targeted training that directly addresses their specific requirements, and enables them to keep pace with a rapidly changing business environment.

Diversity
Diversity is an underpinning priority in all activity funded by TVFF. We aim not only so increase diversity levels in television by providing under-represented groups with access to high-quality training, but also to communicate the opportunities presented by the industry to widest possible audience.

Health and Safety
Progress towards ensuring all TV professionals are fully trained in Health and Safety has developed significantly with the introduction of The Production Safety Passport (PSP).  The PSP is a record of the training in health and safety an individual has received, where this training has been verified as meeting the required industry standard and, as such, is recognised on the scheme. The Skillset TV Skills Fund aims to launch a Bursary scheme to enable freelancers to access these Health and Safety courses at a reduced rate.

Craft and Technical
Courses in lighting, directing, post production, hair and make-up and others are still needed by the freelance workforce as part of their continuing professional development, and a small bursary scheme is expected to launch later in the year to provide subsidised training in these areas.

Online Learning
Online learning is a highly cost efficient method of delivering training and opens up opportunities to individuals from across the Nations and Regions. Freelancers are able to access training at their own convenience and from any location, enabling them to accommodate learning with new skills within their busy working schedules.