Sky has committed to help increase diversity within the TV industry through a partnership with charity MAMA Youth Project. The joint project will see Sky sponsor twelve people aged 16-25 from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds to undergo hands on training and real-world experience working on a Sky Acquisition.
The scheme is aimed at young people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, disadvantaged individuals or those with limited education/employment opportunities based in London and the South East.
The twelve weeks of intensive training will be provided by MAMA Youth Project and will give the participants skills in production as a researcher, camera and sound operator, and video editor, which will be followed by a paid placement at an independent production company working on a Sky production for a minimum of four weeks. The training will take place in early 2012 at the North West London offices of MAMA Youth Project with all of the work placements aiming to be completed by the end of the Summer 2012.
Lucy Lumsden, Head of Comedy at Sky said: “I believe wholeheartedly that our programmes should reflect modern Britain and the rich diversity of our society, both on screen and behind the cameras. This joint initiative between ourselves and MAMA Youth Project will be the first that offers young adults a paid placement after training and so a real step up the work ladder. We hope that through this partnership we will ensure more diversity in the next generation of TV producers.”
Bob Clarke, CEO and Founder of MAMA Youth Project: “We’re really excited about the partnership with Sky and the fantastic opportunities it will create for twelve young adults to start a career in television”
Sky will be further supporting the young people in their careers through additional training in core skills such as:
- Communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- CV writing and interview technique
MAMA Youth Project was founded and funded in 2005 by Bob Clarke with the aim of getting more ethnic minorities and white working class young adults working in Television. Since then the charity has found work in the TV industry for over 67% of its trainees and Bob has been awarded the ‘Special Recognition Award’ by the Cultural Diversity Network.
Sky has recently committed to invest more in home grown content and as part of this is working to improve diversity on screen. Sky is also investing in the next generation of the industry through the Sky Futures scheme which gives students from more than 10 Hounslow schools the opportunity to visit Sky and take part in a one day, behind the scenes taster of life at a major broadcaster, and Fast Forward, which offers 11 month work placements for graduates from local schools. Sky is also piloting a mentoring scheme with local schools which has matched six members of staff with students to help coach them through their options when considering higher education and media industry opportunities.
For more information on MAMA Youth Project’s TV Training programme please contact info@mamayouthproject.org.uk or call 020 8978 3797. www.mamayouthproject.org.uk
