Press Releases 2011

For all media queries please contact:

Nick Sheridan
T: 020 7713 9854
nicks@creativeskillset.org

Use the links below to browse through our latest news.

Skillset joins major new cross-industry coalition to call for fundamental changes to education system to drive hi-tech growth

Skillset has joined some of the biggest names from the digital, creative and hi-tech industries are joining up with leading skills and educational bodies to launch a major new campaign to change the education system and ensure that the computer programming skills needed for the future growth of the UK's hi-tech economy are properly embedded in schools and classrooms.

Leading independent publisher joins Skillset Board

Skillset is very pleased to welcome the CEO and Publisher of Faber and Faber, Stephen Page, to its Board of Directors.

Scottish laundry and dry cleaning industries open up to new talent with Skillset Modern Apprenticeship

The Scottish laundry and dry cleaning industries are preparing to open up 120 apprenticeship places through the new Skillset Modern Apprenticeship programme that is being launched later this month.

Last chance for publishing industry to help shape new National Occupational Standards

Members of the publishing industry have just one week left to feedback on the new National Occupational Standards that outline the essential skills for working in the book and journal industries.

Screen Academy Scotland graduate wins Grierson Award

Congratulations to Lou McLoughlin, whose short film Caring for Calum won the prize for Best Student Documentary at the Grierson Awards.

Sound It Out, another Skillsetter production

Congratulations to Jeanie Finlay on the release of her fabulous documentary, Sound It Out.

Skillset salutes the success of Andrew Haigh's 'Weekend'

Congratulations to Andrew Haigh, whose wonderful film, Weekend, was Film2011's Film of the Week on BBC1 on Thursday, 3 November.

New Build Your Own Master's programme allows BBC staff to earn a master's degree through work-based training

Software engineering staff from the BBC will build technical development and web architecture skills through an innovative Master's programme made up of a series of professional development short courses.

Employers manufacture a future for knitwear in the Borders with Skillset Modern Apprenticeships

A group of traditional rivals in Scottish knitwear have formed an unlikely alliance to save their industry from extinction due to a disappearing workforce.

Women face glass ceiling in radio industry: Skillset report

Women in the UK radio industry are significantly under-represented at senior levels, according to a new report produced by Skillset for Sound Women, a new organisation dedicated to highlighting the issues faced by women in the radio industry.

The best in the business coach the UK's next generation of VFX talent

Visual effects students from throughout the UK are being connected with professionals from some of the industry's leading VFX companies through an online coaching programme thanks to Skillset.

Applications now open for Welsh Apprenticeships in Creative and Digital Media

Some of Wales' most exciting media companies are giving new talent the opportunity to turn their dreams of a career in the media into a reality with the Skillset Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media.

Radio professionals to get on the Fast Train in 2012

Radio freelancers and independents will benefit from a full day of free training at the second Fast Train event, which is to be held at White City in London in February 2012.

Count down to the Belfast Media Festival begins

It's not long now until the Northern Irish media industry comes together once again for the Belfast Media Festival (14 October 2011).

Skillset report on computer games education featured on BBC Newsnight

BBC Newsnight has looked at the Next Gen report, which was produced by Ian Livingstone and Alex Hope with help from Skillset and NESTA .

Fashion and textile manufacturers urged to play role in shaping industry's future

Members of the fashion and textiles industry are being given the chance to help shape the new National Occupational Standards (NOS) that will outline the essential skills for sustainable manufacturing and operations.

L-R: Professor Roger Webster, Dinah Caine, Ivan Lewis, Gordon Marsden

Two members of labour's shadow cabinet visited the North West's first Skillset Media Academy in Liverpool on Tuesday, 28 September.

Skillset's Foundation Degree Internships give students balance between university and work experience

Skillset has designed four groundbreaking new qualifications that will give students firsthand experience of working in an exciting media role while earning a degree.

Next generation of Welsh media apprentices get creative to promote youth helpline

The first ever apprentices on Skillset Cymru's Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media have put their new skills into practice to produce a short film for Meic, a helpline and website to support young people in Wales. The result was screened for the first time in Rhos-on-Sea at Colleg Llandrillo on Friday 30 September.

Birmingham Skillset Media Academy launches new Foundation Degree Internship in Radio Production

Skillset and the Birmingham Skillset Media Academy have developed an exciting new pathway into the radio industry for school leavers.

Head of Vue Cinemas joins Skillset Board

One of the most influential figures in the UK film industry, Vue Cinemas founder and CEO Tim Richards, has joined the Board of Skillset.

Skillset calls for views of the publishing industry to update National Occupational Standards

Members of the publishing industry are being given the chance to help shape the new set of National Occupational Standards that will outline the essential skills for working in the industry.

VFX industry given boost in battle to tackle skills shortages

Key job roles that are essential to the continued growth of the UK's visual effects (VFX) industry should be added or retained on the Government's shortage occupation list, according to new recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).

Skillset to lead Skills Working Group for Creative Industries Council

The UK Government has asked Skillset to lead an industry working group to advise the newly formed Creative Industries Council (CIC), on the skills issues facing the creative sector.

Creative Media Industries in West Wales and the Valleys to get Skills for the Digital Future

Skillset Cymru is funding £250,000 worth of training for Creative Media professionals in West Wales and the Valleys to ensure they have the skills they need to thrive in the new media environment.

Skillset's VFX handbook provides VFX talent with roadmap to future success

Skillset has set a new benchmark for visual effects (VFX) education in the UK with the launch of an industry-authored guide, The Core Skills of VFX, yesterday (Tuesday, 31 May).

London International Animation Festival and Skillset team up for two days of free industry seminars

Animators and the indelibly curious are invited to learn all about the art and technology of animation in two days of free seminars at The Barbican on 2-3 September.

Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy appoints inaugural director

UK film industry expert Alison Small has been appointed as the inaugural director of the Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy.

Skillset's Animation Showcase puts the next generation of UK animation talent on display

Skillset brought the best and brightest of the UK's animation students together with representatives from the VFX and animation industries at the annual Animation Showcase in London yesterday (14 July).

Skills research to map the future of Welsh Creative Media Industries

Skillset Cymru has commissioned two research projects that will help drive forward skills within the Creative Media Industries and create more employment opportunities across West Wales and the Valleys.

Skillset and The Radio Academy launch innovative website to help young people find their Route into Radio

Skillset and The Radio Academy are extremely proud to unveil Route into Radio, a new website to help young people find out more about careers in radio through a range of video case studies of people currently working in the industry.

Skillset commissions spherevfx to Train the Trainers in VFX technologies

Skillset has commissioned spherevfx to develop a programme of VFX software short courses to develop a new generation of tutors within Skillset's Academy network.

Skillset Accreditation cited as prime example of effective collaboration between industry and education

Skillset welcomes the UK Government's recognition of the value of its industry-led accreditation programme for higher and further education.

Skillset and The Foundry equip the 'Next-Gen' of VFX talent with tools of the trade

Skillset is launching a series of major initiatives and awards designed to improve the quality of talent entering the visual effects (VFX) industries from UK universities.

Rising stars offered revolutionary Creative Media Leadership Award

Rising stars in the Creative Media Industries are being given the chance to fast-track their careers with the Creative Media Leadership Award.

Skillset funds mentor training to improve diversity of TV industry

Skillset's TV Skills Fund (TVSF) is helping leaders of the TV industry to foster a more diverse workforce with its support for the Going Up mentor training programme.

Skillset joins discussion about the future of skills for publishing at London Book Fair

Skillset's publishing sector manager Suzanne Kavanagh will chair a seminar titled 'The Talent Time Bomb: Can Publishing Learn New Media Skills?' at the London Book Fair on Wednesday, 13 April.

Skillset Cymru Announces New Board Appointments

The Chair of Skillset Cymru, John Geraint, has announced the appointment of five new members to the Skillset Cymru Board, replacing a number of members who have completed their term.

UK film industry shows support for new training academy

The Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy is the first of its kind and is a collaboration between Skillset - the Sector Skills Council for the Creative Media - and Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College.

New Abertay Games course receives Skillset accreditation

The number of Skillset-accredited games courses has risen to 10, with the University of Abertay Dundee's Professional Masters in Computer Games Development being awarded the Skillset Tick

Skillset Cymru supports Workshop for women returning to work in TV being delivered by ITF

Skillset Cymru is supporting the Indie Training Fund to deliver, Reviewing Your Options, a free one-day motivational workshop for women seeking to resume their TV careers after a maternity break or for other reasons in Cardiff on Wednesday, 13 April

Skillset joins discussion about women in TV at the Broadcast Video Expo

Skillset continues to highlight the gender imbalance in the television industry identified through its research by taking part in a panel discussion about the issue at the Broadcast Video Expo today (Thursday, 17 February).

Skillset responds to the UK Government's Plan For Growth

Skillset welcomes the emphasis on improving the stock of skills in the Digital and Creative Industries in the UK Government's Plan For Growth, which was released along with the 2011 Budget today.

Skillset highlights importance of the Creative Media Industries at Stormont event

Skillset has outlined its plans for the future of education and skills in the Creative Media Industries in Northern Ireland at an Assembly Member event held at Stormont.

Skillset welcomes London Fashion Week designer Betty Jackson to its board

Skillset is delighted to announce the appointment of celebrated fashion designer Betty Jackson CBE to its board.

Skillset welcomes recommendations of Livingstone/Hope skills review

Skillset fully supports the recommendations made in the Livingstone/Hope skills review, which maps the needs of the UK's video games and visual effects industries against the skills being taught to meet these needs

Skillset Cymru launches Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media Industries at the Senedd

The event was addressed by Lesley Griffiths AM, the Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, and Chair of Skillset Cymru, John Geraint.

You're hired! Apprentices forge new path into Creative Media Industries in the south west

Some of the south west's biggest media companies are helping young people to pioneer a new pathway into the highly competitive Creative Media Industries with Skillset's Advanced Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media.

You're hired! Skillset Apprentices forging new path into Welsh media industry

Eleven young people are pioneering a new pathway into the highly competitive Creative Media Industries by taking part in the pilot scheme of the new Skillset Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media.

Skillset appoints Matthew Prior as Chair of its Publishing Skills Council

The Publishing Skills Council comprises 13 leading figures from the UK publishing industry, and guides all of Skillset's work for this key sector.

Skillset Apprenticeships open up new pathways into the Creative Media and Fashion & Textiles Industries

Skillset is pioneering new pathways into the Creative Media and Fashion & Textiles Industries with the roll out of a range of apprenticeship frameworks throughout England and Wales.

£4.5 million for Creative Industries in West Wales and the Valleys

The Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, Lesley Griffiths AM, has announced a £4.5m EU-backed programme to ensure workers in the Creative Industries across West Wales and the Valleys have the skills to build a dynamic, enterprising sector.

Skillset supports BAME Media Professionals' Career Progression Workshop being delivered by ITF

The Indie Training Fund will deliver a free one-day motivational workshop for TV professionals from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds on how to take the next step in their career on Saturday, 15 February.

Skillset Apprenticeship opens up new pathways into Creative Media Industries in the south west

Skillset is pioneering a new pathway into the highly competitive Creative Media Industries with the introduction of the Advanced Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media in the south west of England.

Skillset supports Workshop for women returning to work in TV being delivered by ITF

Skillset is supporting the Indie Training Fund to deliver, Reviewing Your Options, a free one-day motivational workshop for women seeking to resume their TV careers after a maternity break or for other reasons on Tuesday, 1 March.

Skillset welcomes MT Rainey as Vice-Chair

Skillset is extremely proud to announce the appointment of advertising and digital media pioneer MT Rainey as the Vice-Chair of the organisation.

Skillset Cymru announces extensive investment in training for the Welsh Creative Media Industries in 2011

Skillset Cymru has devised an ambitious programme of funding for training schemes designed to benefit the Welsh Creative Media Industries in 2011.

Skillset recognised as one of the UK's top gay-friendly employers

Skillset is very proud to announce that it has once again been placed in Stonewall's Top 100 Workplace Equality Index.

Creative Skillset, Focus Point, 21 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9GB. Tel: 020 7713 9800

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