Training professionals in the audiovisual programme industry
A proposal for a vocational training programme to train professionals in the European audiovisual industry is currently before the European Parliament and Council. The programme, MEDIA training, has been proposed by the European Commission to cover the period 2001 to 2005. The objectives of the programme are as follows: - to meet the industry's needs and promote competitiveness by improving the continuous vocational training of professionals in the audiovisual industry, in particular in the application of new technologies, economic, financial and commercial management, and script-writing techniques; - to encourage cooperation and information exchange through networking between partners involved in training. Particular attention will be given to promoting the needs of countries or regions with restricted geographic and linguistic area, and SMEs. The proposed financial framework is 50 million euro, and participants would be expected to fund at least 50 per cent of the activities themselves. The programme would be open to the associated countries of Eastern and Central Europe, and to Cyprus, Malta, Turkey and EFTA countries which are parties to the EEA agreement. The opinions of the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions will be sought before final ratification.