BBC Academy

Bob Pank#

Author: Bob Pank#

Published 1st March 2011


Today’s broadcast industry depends on a mobile workforce of skilled professionals. And in the YouTube age where anyone can upload a film, what distinguishes the professional from the amateur? In short - great training!
A recent survey of industry freelancers reveals that more than half rank training as one of the most important factors in developing their skills and improving their employment opportunities. Yet few claim to receive it.
Even in challenging financial times, it’s becoming increasingly important for employers to realise that providing training will enable them to attract, and get the most out of, the best talent.
The BBC Academy, the BBC’s centre of excellence for training, is working along with Skillset and great training providers (increasingly, in partnership) to find new initiatives to deliver high quality, relevant training for programme-makers.
In an ever-changing media landscape, the BBC Academy aims to put training at the heart of broadcasting, equipping both BBC staff and the wider industry with the skills they need for a lifetime of employability. We’re finding new ways of unlocking our great training resource for the benefit of the wider industry. Where we can, we’re trying to make this training available for free.
The Academy, which houses the Colleges of Production, Journalism, Leadership and the Centre of Technology, focuses on providing a portfolio of high quality training and development. This includes face-to face courses, online programmes and a variety of development initiatives, ensuring the training we deliver is relevant and effective for both the individual and the business.
The College of Production focuses on core editorial, creativity and production skills, together with production management, H&S and multiplatform training and development. The College of Production website will be launched in February 2011 alongside the well-established College of Journalism site – both offering comprehensive information and learning resources for free to everyone in the UK.
The Centre of Technology provides training in broadcast engineering and technology as well as relevant business systems and is developing training in software engineering and product management.
Andy Carmichael, Head of Business Development for the BBC Academy says:
‘It’s encouraging to see companies and freelancers continue to invest in training and development despite the tough economic climate. Organisations are recognising more than ever the need to keep their staff skills base up to speed to keep flexible and competitive, and freelancers are realising the need to multiskill in order to get that next job.
Our HD portfolio for production and technical staff, DVB, DVSM and our core TV craft skills are currently much in demand. The new Stereoscopic 3D course, aimed at both technical and production staff, is also generating a lot of interest.
We deliver scheduled courses as well as bespoke solutions for organisations world wide; we believe it's crucial to understand our client’s needs and the industry trends to be able to offer the right advice.’
Information on training and development solutions available from the BBC Academy, along with industry news and views can be found on www.bbc.academy.com.

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