By Nick Sheridan

The Standards cover Physical Special Effects, Armoury and Post Production. This is the first time Occupational Standards have been created for any of these industries.

These Standards, which are also available in Welsh, have been developed over the past year by industry leaders and experts from each occupational area through a process of investigation, analysis and consultation. The results are clear statements of what is required in these particular job roles, based on best practice in each of the industries.

For example, the new Armoury Standards will allow the Association of Film Armourers to insist upon a required level of expertise for those wishing to operate as film or television armourers. This will create a safer working environment when using dangerous weapons on set.

The project was also successful in bringing together all the television broadcasters and film and television guilds, unions and associations to agree a new Health and Safety strategy, focusing upon those who are responsible for managing the risks on production. The new Health and Safety Standard that was created as a result will ensure that individuals run and manage a more safety aware set which will only be beneficial for all cast, crew and organisations involved.

Skillset’s chief executive, Dinah Caine, said: “These Standards will provide invaluable guidance as to the skills and qualifications necessary to ensure professionals in these fields are able to perform their roles safely and effectively. We know that these Standards will be of huge value as they have been developed in direct response to calls from within the industry, and in close consultation with the people who will be using them.”

To help illustrate the benefits of these new Standards, a Skillset Media Academy student has created an animated video that explains the concept of National Occupational Standards and how they can be used. Greg Martin, an animation student at the Ravensbourne Skillset Media Academy, created the short animation, which can now be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDInyRBfR-M.

Skillset has also developed Job Maps to accompany the new Standards. These Maps will help professionals easily identify the skills they need at different stages of their careers. All of this information can now be accessed via Skillset’s website: http://www.skillset.org/standards/standards/.

About the author and Skillset

Nick Sheridan is Skillset press and PR officer. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Creative Media, with responsibility for 60 per cent of the UK Creative Industries. This comprises TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging, publishing, advertising and fashion and textiles. SSCs are licensed by the UK Government and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenges by sector. They are independent, UK-wide organisations, are employer-led, and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the industry.