17/07/2008

Scottish independent TV production companies are being invited to tap into a newly-created quarter-of-a-million pound training fund to allow them to build the staff and skills necessary to provide programmes on a regular basis for a soon-to-launch digital TV channel dedicated to Gaelic language programming.

Over the next two years, one of the two partners involved in the channel - MG ALBA - will be committing £260,000 towards assisting the training needs of successful applicants. But their involvement will be to a maximum of 50 per cent of costs.

The other partner in the channel is BBC Scotland.

Says Donald Campbell, chief executive of MG ALBA (which was, until recently, known as the Gaelic Media Service): “We have supported training in the Gaelic television sector for many years, through the Gaelic Television Training Trust, and we recognise that continuing professional development is increasingly important in an industry that is evolving to meet the challenge of providing high-quality content in the digital age.

“The new Gaelic Digital Service is giving production companies and freelancers the opportunity to make more programmes and hire new staff, and we want to ensure that they have the skills they need to create the content our viewers want to watch.”

Added Alasdair Smith, director of Skillset Scotland, the ‘sector skills council’ for creative media: “Skillset is delighted to see MG ALBA making such a strong commitment to skills and training at a time when broadcasting in Scotland is under such scrutiny.

“Broadcasting is highly dependent on the skills of its workforce, particularly as the industry adapts to meet the challenges presented by new digital technologies.

“The financial support will be invaluable in helping companies and freelancers meet the demands of these new challenges and I look forward to working with MG ALBA up to and beyond the launch of the new Gaelic Digital Service.”

Applications are required by the eighth of next month. For more, click here.

* Send your Scottish media news and gossip, in the strictest confidence, to  info@allmediascotland.com