主播大秀

Today sees the launch of the English Regions Skills Review. It’s an important report on the future skills across the industry outside of London.

The review was commissioned by the 主播大秀 Academy and 主播大秀 England and mirrored the regions of 主播大秀 England: the South west, the Midlands and the North. The research investigated the current skills and predicted skills needed for the next 18 months. The aim: to develop today the skills needed for tomorrow. It focused largely around television and digital.

It’s very evident that production in the regions is buoyant, spirited and independent. For the first time more than half of 主播大秀 production comes from outside London. Over half of Channel 4's original commissions came from outside London last year. And in 2013 almost half of ITV's spend and volume was outside London. Of course these regions have a proud heritage in ground-breaking drama and comedies, pioneering current affairs, innovative animation, world-leading natural history programming, long-running dramas on TV and radio, much-loved local programming and key returning strands and formats.

As more production migrates from the capital city as an industry we need to ensure that these centres of excellence have the talent and the skills to meet the demand and more critically that they have the skills mix and entrepreneurialism to meet the future demands of the digital age. This review was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ask those important questions about where the gaps may be and ensure these regions stay vibrant and relevant and continue to produce standout content in a rapidly changing world.

There was a strong consensus on the key issues and challenges facing indies and freelancers alike: the growth of digital, the need to win new business (particularly new long running formats), the crisis in production management staffing, new crews needed for the drama boom and bridging the gap between education and the workplace.

But it was vital that this was not just another piece of research. There’s been plenty of that. This report needed actions.

Three comprehensive industry-wide and UK-wide initiatives (because the issues are the same throughout the industry) have been announced today at the Nations and Regions Media Conference in Salford. They hope to start to tackle some of the challenges around digital, production management and winning new business.

The training schemes aimed at freelancers across the industry include:

• Series Producer Programme – Aimed at finding the next generation of brilliant and diverse SPs to help the industry win new business and create hit formats. This prestigious year-long programme will offer participants unrivalled training delivered by industry experts, 1-2-1 support, mentors and placements with broadcasters.

•  Production Management - Tackling a national shortage of production managers, co-ordinators and line producers, this comprehensive initiative will train up to 50 broadcast coordinators to work across the industry as multi skilled managers gaining key production skills in a range of genres and programme formats.

• Digital skills - Building on the successful Digital Cities initiative in Bristol and Birmingham the Academy will roll out a number of city-wide events for the first time in the North and the Nations. These will draw on skills training from partners ranging from broadcasters, digital agencies, screen councils, universities and local enterprise partnerships. A mix of practical hands-on workshops master-classes and conference style events.

These initiatives form part of the 主播大秀 Academy’s role in training the wider broadcast industry in partnership with the likes of Creative Skillset, broadcasters, screen agencies, higher education institutions and external training companies.

As the largest training provider of broadcast skills in the UK we also make a valuable contribution to help the UK’s creative industries grow from strength to strength.

But ultimately this review was all about the talent. Diverse and local talent. Spotting that talent, nurturing and developing that talent. This must be everyone’s priority, talent attracts talent.

Gurdip Bhangoo is Head of Future Skills & Events, 主播大秀 Academy

• You can read the more about the English Regions Skills Review at: