Skillset launches interactive media business development scheme

Interactive media and computer games companies based in the South East of England are set to benefit from a new support scheme initiated by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries.

The industry-led scheme aims to strengthen and develop the employment base in the sector, offering a specifically tailored support package for small and medium sized companies in the region to provide valuable business skills and commercial awareness.

"The initiative will ultimately improve the competitiveness of the sector as a whole through demonstrating the benefits of business orientated thinking to the games industry," commented Ian Livingstone, Eidos creative director and chair of Skillset's computer games skills forum.

Collectively funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), South East Media Network and additionally supported by industry investment through Skillset, the new scheme will offer developing companies a range of expert business consultancy advice, resources and guidance for commercial growth.

Encompassing a bespoke suite of individual mentor sessions, workshops, masterclasses, networking events and online resources developed specifically for participants, participants will benefit from advice on when and how to invest in technology, how to raise necessary capital, planning projects properly and awareness of new markets and available resources that can help businesses to grow and flourish.

Sector Skills Councils are independent organisations led by groups of influential employers in specific business sectors, supporting the creation and development of new companies and businesses in the sector. The computer games skills forum includes figures from companies including ELSPA, SCEE, Activision, THQ, Microsoft and many more.

According to Skillset, the South East of England has seen substantial growth in recent years for the interactive media and computer games business sectors, which now account for almost sixty per cent of all audio visual employment in the region and continues to boost its economic development.