News from Skillset - A Bigger Future 2

Skillset has just launched A Bigger Future 2, the second phase of our UK-wide skills strategy for the film industry.
 
You may know, we have received approximately a 50% reduction in funding for the coming three years. Our new strategy targets the key areas that our research demonstrates will have the strongest economic impact on the UK film industry.  For the coming three years we will be looking to fund training in the following areas:
 
New industry trainees in priority grades such as construction, wardrobe, and a particular focus on VFX
Training in new technologies
Developing creative talent
Improving business skills
Enhancing health and safety skills
 
You can visit our strategy website to find out more at www.abiggerfuture2.co.uk and see the detail behind each of the funding priorities.  The first round of funding calls has just been released, and you can find them at:
www.skillset.org/funding/organisations/apply_FSF  Other funding programmes will be released in July and September.  A full schedule of release dates can be found on the website.
 
Skillset will be holding two briefing meetings for potential training providers to come in and hear from the team talk about our new funding programmes, and the new application process.  These will be:
 
Thursday 8 July, 13.00 – 15.00
Friday 16 July, 14.00 – 16.00
 
If you would be interested in attending one of these events, please contact kieranh@skillset.org.
 
This year, the majority of our funding is going to organisations to subsidise the cost of training to participants.  From a film perspective, we will only have three very specific bursary pots.  These will be for:
 
High level VFX and Editing training
Health and safety training
Business skills training
 
There will also be a range of TV-specific bursary schemes that will be open during the year.  And we will shortly be announcing a bursary scheme that will cover a wide range of courses, but specifically targeting women.
 
The VFX/Editing bursary scheme is currently open for application and the other schemes will open in September, dates subject to change.  You can find out about all current bursary schemes here: www.skillset.org/funding/individuals
 
Please do check what is currently available, and contact us directly if you are unclear.  If you have previously promoted the availability of bursaries, please check that your course is eligible before promoting them again, to avoid building undue expectations from course participants.
 
If you have any questions about our funding please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team.