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Cash injection to make sure Scotland is at forefront of Creative Industries

Skillset Scotland, working in partnership with and investment from Scottish Screen, is set to release £40,000 to help drive forward the country’s film, TV, animation, computer game and interactive media industries.

The Skillset Scotland Training Bursary Scheme will be available from August 2009 and will award freelancers up to £800, and employees up to £500, for relevant industry skills development.

The aim of the training bursaries is to boost skills and encourage the sustainability and growth of the screen industries in Scotland.

Skillset Scotland Director Alasdair Smith said: “We want to make sure that Scotland’s priority screen industries are in a very strong position to compete in the global marketplace.

“It is essential that we provide the immense talent we have with the tools to develop and show the world that Scotland is a force to be reckoned with in the world of film, TV, animation, computer games and interactive media.”

Ken Hay, Chief Executive of Scottish Screen, said: “Scottish Screen recognises the importance of having skilled people working across the screen industries in Scotland. It is vital that we maximise opportunities for growth in this dynamic and fast changing sector to make sure Scotland is a world leader.”

Anyone interested in a bursary has up to February 26 2010 to apply and training must be completed by March 31 2010. Individuals can receive 80 per cent of their course, travel and accommodation costs.

For guidelines and an application form please visit Skillset’s website at http://www.skillset.org/uk/scotland/trainingfund/

For further information please contact Sharon Hutt, Scotland Fund Co-ordinator, on 0141 222 2633 or email sharonh@skillset.org

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