Skillset Academi+ has funding available for training providers to deliver some of the training linked to the programme. To apply, please read the guidelines below and complete the application form.

Guidelines

Background

Skillset Academi+ has been established in order to equip the sector to ride out the recession and emerge stronger in a digital convergent world through training and mentoring.
Our high priority areas are:

• Knowledge of new media content creation, strategies and technologies – new ideas generation and originality of products and processes
• Equipping content creators with the skills and knowledge to exploit their IP – sales, distribution, managing rights, marketing and advertising skills
• Leadership and management – including business management, finance, accounts and strategic management.
• Production skills in film, television and interactive media.
• Advanced craft skills

Our strategic priority is to be forward looking, facilitating courses that champion skills, ambition and innovation, whilst forging a partnership between training providers, higher education institutions and the industry.

Led by industry, our partners include: Skillset Cymru; Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries/ATRiuM(CCI), University of Glamorgan (Lead University Partner); School of Art, Media and Design, University of Wales, Newport; Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies, Aberystwyth University; Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Cardiff University; The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; The School of Digital Media, Swansea Metropolitan University.

Proposing A Course

Since the funding for this programme comes from HEFCW, courses should be run either in conjunction with Higher Education establishments or in ways that allow access to staff or benefit students. You will need to name your potential partners even if the partnership is yet to be confirmed. Among the suggestions for staff and student benefits could be some or all of the following:

• Access to your course for a limited number of tutors from the Universities listed above.
• A standalone masterclass or event to run parallel to the workshop (at no extra cost), for people not attending the actual course
• The potential for future validation of the course into a Higher Education programme
• Use of facilities offered by institutions, as in kind investment from Skillset Academi+

We would also welcome any other examples of ways in which you could collaborate with the Universities.

Courses can be (and not limited to)

• one day workshops
• long-term programmes led via seminars, e-learning and mentoring
• A series of workshops held through evening and weekend sessions
• Intensive week long labs
• Structured training via work placements for new entrants

Courses should be aimed at industry professionals with various levels of experience including full time members of staff, freelancers and new entrants. Whilst we do wish to establish schemes for new entrants, the key priority of the programme is on up-skilling those already working within the industry.

Although it is not essential to have match funding in place, we will look favourably at those courses which already have an element of match funding, particularly those courses with larger budgetary requirements. Prior approval of the course by a guild or other sector body would also be an advantage. We welcome courses delivered through the medium of Welsh, and those with a broad geographical base. Our funding is limited and we hope to support a varied range of courses.

It is important that proposed courses meet a high proportion of the above guidelines.

There is a rolling process for submission of applications.  The next submission deadline is 16 September 2010. We intend to consider applications every six weeks.

Prior to submitting your online application, any queries should be directed to Sue Jeffries, Skillset Academi+ Co-ordinator, via email sue@skillsetacademiplus.org or phone 02920 480 456.

Application Form

Thank you for your interest in the Skillset Academi+ Training Fund. Before you start filling in this form, please read and consider these notes:

• This fund is available to independent training providers, further and higher education institutes.
• Please ensure you have read the guidelines
• You must be applying for a specific project that falls within the skills priorities listed in the guidelines
• You must show commitment to collaborating with one of the Skillset Academi+ Higher Education partners as listed in the guidelines.

Please answer every question in each section, fully and accurately. We will use this information to assess your application, to monitor the funding and its impact, and to include in reports to the stakeholders of the fund.

We will assess your application using the criteria detailed in the guidelines.

Download the Skillset Academi+ Funding Application Form 2010 [Microsoft Word doc, 88kb]