Screen Council Launches ScreenMark

Special Edition - 03 July 2006
Screen Council Launches ScreenMark

Today's launch of ScreenMark is a major milestone for the Screen Council. It marks the completion of a project that began in March 2003, with a recommendation in the Screen Production Taskforce’s report Taking on the World.

ScreenMark is an accreditation system for tertiary training courses in the screen production sector. It is an industry stamp of approval awarded each year by the Screen Council to courses that provide high-quality, practical, tertiary-level training in the screen production sector. The term ‘screen production sector’ covers all entities involved in the 'financing, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution of film, television, animation, commercials and music videos'.

“A rigorous process of consultation has taken place over the last few months with input from industry bodies, educational authorities, independent educational specialists, training providers, industry professional practitioners and auditors” said Tim Thorpe, Executive Director of the Screen Council. ”We have visited 16 providers up and down the country, on a one-on-one basis to receive feedback and opinion” said Thorpe. “This has culminated in the establishment of strict criteria and a robust application process. We have also undertaken two ‘trial runs’ - so we’ve had a thorough dress rehearsal for the process.”

ScreenMark applies to training courses or programmes, rather than training institutions. It will provide training providers, employers and students alike with the knowledge and confidence that courses achieving ScreenMark have industry endorsement.

ScreenMark has been enthusiastically embraced by providers and industry alike. Government too has been keeping a watchful eye on progress. The thinking behind ScreenMark is strongly aligned to recent government announcements on tertiary education reforms 'The Next Steps', which have a focus on training outcomes, rather than student numbers through the door.

Call for Applications
From 3 July 2006 the Screen Council is accepting applications from tertiary education providers for ScreenMark. The closing date for applications is 01 September 2006. Further information and application forms can be found at ScreenMark.

ENDS

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