Gaelic media is key to both supporting Gaelic learners and initiating Gaelic learning according to authoritative research published today.
The research conducted by Meriel Young Consulting and commissioned jointly by MG ALBA and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, found that nine out of ten Gaelic learners are watching BBC ALBA and almost half of those motivated to learn Gaelic, credited their enthusiasm to Gaelic media.
The research is published as MG ALBA’s Chair, Maggie Cunningham, confirmed the urgency of the organisation’s efforts to develop new language learning resources for Gaelic learners, and the imperative of further engagement with young Gaelic speakers.
“This research gives MG ALBA the evidence needed to progress the development of new learning content, as promised in our strategy document Lèirsinn 2021. The research is complete, we have carried out an audit of current learning resources, and we are now ready to create a new multiplatform language learning resource across LearnGaelic, BBC ALBA, Radio nan Gàidheal, social media and other platforms in partnership with the BBC and others. The new operational licence for the BBC published last week by Ofcom reaffirms the importance of this content for BBC ALBA. We know the BBC will support us given their commitment to Learning, and the vital role of Gaelic media in facilitating that.”
Allan Macdonald, Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig said of the research findings: “Bòrd na Gàidhlig works closely with MG ALBA across a number of different areas in relation to Gaelic development and the results of this survey serve to emphasise the importance of BBC ALBA and indeed BBC Radio nan Gàidheal to the long-term future and well-being of the Gaelic language and culture.
Attracting people to learn the Gaelic language and supporting them to do so is critical to building a secure future for the language and needs continued investment to enable the production of new content for broadcast and the resources that support learning.”
Ms Cunningham also highlighted MG ALBA’s efforts around targeting younger people, including the positive start to its comedy writing initiative: “Younger audiences are vital to the future of Gaelic and we need to ensure we are delivering compelling, bold Gaelic content for them, on the platforms they are watching. We are therefore commissioning ambitious content that will work for both BBC ALBA and for digital. New research shows this audience’s desire particularly for drama and comedy and we’re delighted that our new partnership with BBC Writersroom Scotland for Gaelic sketch writing has drawn over 50 submissions from writers and writing teams. This is a phenomenal result – and is on a par with major UK-wide schemes. The Scottish government’s recent announcement of £50,000 to develop Gaelic drama writing talent is enormously welcome as we continue to invest in the ability to tell our own stories on screen.”
Ms Cunningham continued: “Gaelic is fighting for its survival. Major interventions are needed and we ask communities, institutions and bodies throughout Scotland to work together to increase access to Gaelic learning opportunities. We need Gaelic speakers and learners to raise their voices and we appeal to everyone in Scotland and across the UK to see Gaelic as precious to them and to the nation, not just as a cultural asset but a vibrant part of a modern diverse society”.
MG ALBA and Bòrd na Gàidhlig team up with The Glasgow School of Art to offer a new “LearnGaelic” Scholarship
MG ALBA and Bòrd na Gàidhlig have teamed up with the School of Simulation and Visualisation (SimVis) at The Glasgow School of Art to offer a new “LearnGaelic” Scholarship it was announced today, Tuesday 4 July 2017. The scholarship is offered as part of a new commitment to developing interactive tools for learners of Gaelic, and will support a Gaelic learner to study on the MSc Serious Games and Virtual Reality at SimVis starting from September 2017.
Serious Games and Virtual Reality represent a large, and actively growing, industry, and this MSc will provide students with the skills to become key innovators in an exciting and rapidly developing area. As part of their programme the successful students will develop games and other virtual reality products to help support the learning of Gaelic.
“Serious Games and Virtual Reality are now multi-billion dollar global markets, not just for entertainment, but with huge impact and potential in education and training, and connecting people internationally and in remote communities,” says Daniel Livingstone, Head of Postgraduate Programmes at the School of Simulation and Visualisation. “We are very excited to team up with MG ALBA and Bòrd na Gàidhlig to offer this opportunity for a student of Gaelic to also learn how to develop new immersive virtual and augmented reality applications that will help support Gaelic learners.”
“MG ALBA is not only passionate about the development of Gaelic across traditional forms of media such as radio and TV but is determined to ensure that the language has a role in the development of new forms of creative media in the 21st century,” adds Donald Campbell, CEO of MG ALBA. “We are thrilled to be supporting the scholarship scheme which will allow someone who is passionate about both Gaelic and virtual reality to enhance their education and career prospects within this hugely important sector. We are also pleased that our LearnGaelic platform will benefit from the knowledge the successful candidate will gain. Serious games and virtual reality is a global industry and we want to ensure the vibrant Gaelic language can play a part in that.”
“Promoting the Gaelic language and encouraging people to learn and use it is at the heart of Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s work and we constantly strive for new ways in which we can achieve this,” says Shona MacLennan, CEO of Bòrd na Gàidhlig. “We are keen to explore how games technology and virtual reality can be used to support learning and usage and we are excited to be a partner in a scheme that can foster new digital learning tools for Gaelic. This is a superb opportunity for an individual to enhance their gaming technology and Gaelic language skills, whilst making a potentially ground breaking contribution to how people learn, use and perceive Gaelic in the 21st century.”
The MSc in Serious Games and Virtual Reality offers students the transferable skills to design, develop and analyse games and simulations for a range of application areas and to conduct interdisciplinary research in the applications of games technology, particularly in healthcare, education and training.
The LearnGaelic scholarship will be awarded to one person, resident in the UK or EU, who is actively engaged in learning Scottish Gaelic, or who has a genuine interest and desire to do so, and who will join the MSc programme in September 2017. Applications need to be submitted before 4th August 2017.
For more information on the Masters in SERIOUS GAMES AND VIRTUAL REALITY and how to apply for an MG ALBA scholarship visit: http://www.gsa.ac.uk/learngaelic
MSc In Serious Games and Virtual Reality: http://www.gsa.ac.uk/seriousgames
For further press information on GSA, contact: Lesley Booth; 0779 941 4474; press@gsa.ac.uk @GSofAMedia
For further press information on MG ALBA, contact: Viktoria Marker; 0141 422 6582; viktoria.marker@mgalba.com
For further press information on Bòrd na Gàidhlig, contact: Murdo Morrison; 01463 225 454 / 07983 445158; murchadh@gaidhlig.scot
-Ladbrokes Premiership, Championship, League 1 and League 2 action plus IRN-BRU Cup ties to be shown on BBC ALBA for another three seasons-
Scottish football fans from across the country will be able to enjoy live and ‘as live’ SPFL action on BBC ALBA for the next three seasons after a new agreement announced today.
Minister for Public Health and Sport Aileen Campbell MSP joined MG ALBA’s Director of Strategy and Partnership Iseabail Mactaggart, SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster and Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor at Hampden Park to unveil the new deal.
The Scottish Gaelic language digital TV channel will show both live and deferred broadcast Scottish league and cup football during seasons 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20.
For each of those seasons, BBC ALBA will enjoy the rights to show:
Minister for Sport Aileen Campbell said:
“Football is Scotland’s national game and we want to do everything we can to open it up to as many people as possible. This deal with BBC ALBA continues the great support the BBC has shown to the SPFL as well as the continued desire to promote the Gaelic language.
“As a football fan, I know that being able to watch my team on the television is a huge bonus if I can’t attend the game itself and I look forward to another three seasons of Scottish football coverage on BBC ALBA.”
SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster said: “This is a great deal for Scottish football and good news for Scotland overall. The SPFL has enjoyed a terrific partnership with BBC ALBA to date and we are excited to extend the relationship by a further three seasons, ensuring Scottish football shown live on TV can continue to be enjoyed by as many supporters as possible.
“BBC ALBA has always been a very committed supporter of our game and the latest agreement takes into account club and supporter feedback, particularly in the Ladbrokes Championship. We are all looking forward to another three successful seasons with BBC ALBA.”
Iseabail Mactaggart, Director of Strategy and Partnership at MG ALBA, added: “Scottish football coverage has been extremely popular with viewers since the channel launched in 2008 and we are delighted to extend the partnership between BBC ALBA and the SPFL into its tenth year and beyond.
“The new package continues a great mix of action from across the divisions and the IRN-BRU Cup and we are pleased we can offer the spotlight to clubs who contribute so much to the domestic game outside the top flight. We are committed to coverage of Scottish sport, especially at the grassroots, and we are delighted to be working with the clubs and the SPFL in the seasons ahead.”
A new four-year deal for the production of drama content on BBC ALBA has been agreed, it has been announced today.
Funded by MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service – one of the partners behind BBC ALBA – the new contract with Young Films secures the future of the channel’s drama series, Bannan and marks a significant investment in drama for the channel.
Filmed on the Isle of Skye, and produced by The Inbetweeners’ Chris Young, 23 episodes of Bannan have been produced since 2014, with five of those due to be aired on BBC ALBA in the autumn. The success of Bannan has led to an international deal being signed for the series with DRG, one of the leading independent distributors of programmes in the world.
The new contract, running until 2021, will lead to at least 20 episodes being produced for the channel. The announcement was made prior to a screening of Bannan at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and coincided with the launch of MG ALBA’s annual report for 2016/17.
Maggie Cunningham, chair of MG ALBA, said: “The development of drama was a key milestone for BBC ALBA and since it was first broadcast in 2014, Bannan has proved popular with both our core Gaelic audience and non-Gaelic speakers alike.
“We’re pleased to announce a four-year deal with Young Films, which will provide longer-term certainty for Bannan’s ongoing development. In recent years we have awarded a number of multi-year volume deals to producers for other genres and seen resulting cost savings and collaborations which in turn has allowed more new programmes to be made. Whilst drama production comes at a significantly higher cost than other genres, MG ALBA believes longer-term planning for Bannan can bring similar benefits and also, that such strategic investment in drama enables us to create a strong creative foundation that benefits the future of Gaelic on screen, by strengthening the skills vital to telling our stories.”
Chris Young, of Young Films, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we are entering into this new four year deal for Bannan. My dream was always to create a popular and successful long-running Gaelic language drama that works for Gaelic, national and international audiences. Thanks to support from MG ALBA, Creative Scotland and Scottish Government as well as the outstanding contribution from everyone in the Bannan team, this has now become a reality.
“With this new deal we have a unique opportunity to take our storylines and characters in unexpected and exciting directions. It also gives us scope to develop our training programme on a more strategic basis, continuing our ambition to create a new generation of Scottish and Gaelic film and television talent. We hope to do this in partnership with MG ALBA and agencies such as Skills Development Scotland, Creative Scotland, BBC, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and others. We look forward to providing exciting new TV drama over the next four years from Bannan’s growing team of talented new writers, directors and performers.”
Launching MG ALBA’s annual report, Ms Cunningham added that many of the challenges that faced BBC ALBA were still present in the wake of the Charter renewal process, and that MG ALBA was still pressing the case for more new content.
Maggie Cunningham continued: “A key tenet of MG ALBA’s strategy is to encourage international co-productions from our producers. This has involved significant work with our independent producers and we are now starting to see this work come to fruition, with £950,000 of added value for the channel already coming from current long-term deals as a result of collaboration. A fine example of this is Port, a musical series presented by Julie Fowlis that has enjoyed significant acclaim from audiences in Scotland and Ireland. With the advent of the new BBC Scotland channel, we will explore opportunities that this may give us.
“Whilst we are determined to ensure every pound we spend works as hard as it can for the BBC ALBA audience, it must be acknowledged that there is a limit to what can be achieved with our current budget and that more investment in programming is required.
“The BBC Charter has now been agreed for the next 11 years and whilst our ask of 10 hours of original programming per week for the channel has not been met, we have had some assurance that there will be progress towards this target over the next few years. The BBC has committed to weekend news bulletins on BBC ALBA from Autumn 2018 and we will continue to work closely in partnership with the BBC to ensure that there is continued investment in the channel.
“Our future work will also be particularly important in engaging younger viewers, with our research showing that BBC ALBA is being challenged by new digital platforms in much the same way UK network channels are also experiencing. It is vital that we are equipped to provide a service to our younger demographic in a way that is accessible and engaging, and we will be bringing forward new initiatives to address this over the coming months and years.”
The national Gaelic film competition, FilmG is celebrating its tenth year, with some famous faces in the world of Gaelic broadcasting launching this year’s competition in Wester Ross.
Fiona MacKenzie, the face of BBC ALBA, and journalist and footballer Calum Ferguson were on hand with pupils from Gairloch High School yesterday (Thursday 22 June) to launch the tenth FilmG competition.
FilmG, MG ALBA’s Gaelic short film competition, was established in 2008 as a means of developing Gaelic filmmaking talent and encouraging grassroots Gaelic storytelling through film. Over this time a bank of more than 650 Gaelic short films has been created online and the competition has become a springboard for young people keen to carve out a career in Gaelic media. These youngsters include two Gaelic children’s TV presenters, Megan MacLennan and Kerry Anne MacLeod who were both shortlisted for their wonderful performances at the first ever FilmG awards ceremony and who now appear regularly on BBC ALBA.
As well as individual successes, schools across the country regularly participate in the competition and the benefits have been wide-reaching. Gairloch High school became the focal point of this year’s launch due its success the previous year, with pupils taking home a hoard of prizes, including ‘Best Mobile Short’, ‘Best Script’ and ‘Best Animation’.
Gaelic teacher Iain Cumming said:
“We’ve had a great afternoon here in Gairloch, with the whole school as well as members of the community attending the launch and celebrating the excellent films made by Gairloch High School pupils. Over the last few years we’ve learned a lot about film-making and it was great that all that effort paid off in FilmG 2017. We’re very much looking forward to getting involved again this year, in fact some of the pupils are already developing their ideas and beginning work on their scripts!”
As ever the FilmG competition kicked off by announcing the competition theme and unveiling the three images/posters that illustrate the theme and give entrants a starting point for their ideas.
This year the chosen theme is ‘Fìrinn’(truth) and Fiona MacKenzie and Calum Ferguson unveiled the three dramatic images, one of which was initially designed by Plockton High school pupil Lucy Small as part of the FilmG 10th Anniversary poster competition.
Having been at the helm of the project since its inception, Project Manager Floraidh Forrest is delighted the competition has reached this important milestone. “FilmG has been such an exciting project for me and our talented team at Cànan Graphic Studio to work on. Over the course of the last ten years we have seen dramatic developments in the way video content is created and distributed and I’m pleased that within the Gaelic media sector, FilmG has been at the forefront of these developments. FilmG continues to engage with young Gaelic speakers and encourages them to make their voices and unique stories heard in what is a very crowded cyberspace environment. Roll on the next ten years!”
As well as the main competition, this year sees the introduction of some ‘flash’ mini-competitions to help entrants prepare for the competition and generate a buzz throughout the year.
These include the ‘Summer Stop Motion’ competition, which is open children of all ages to make a one minute animation on any subject. The winner of last year’s ‘Youth Animation Award’, Gairloch High School pupil Ruairidh Alexander was on hand to encourage is peers to get involved, he said: “I started making animations about a year or two ago, and when I heard that there was a FilmG competition, I was very excited. My whole experience working with FilmG has been great, and it’s given me the confidence to keep going. This is my first animation using voice over, but I don’t think it will be my last!”
The ‘Summer Stop Motion’ competition is open until the 18 August and other flash competition will be announced throughout the year. The main competition is open until the 8 December 2017 and entrants are asked to make shorts up to five minutes in length in Gaelic. All films from previous years are available to watch online at www.filmg.co.uk. If you’d like to make a film and want to know more about the competition, please contact the team at fios@filmg.co.uk.
MG ALBA, Solus Productions and Sorbier Productions are searching for new acting talent for two dramas aimed at children and young people.
Solus Productions will be holding auditions in Skye, Benbecula, Glasgow and Stornoway between 19-24 June looking for two young male actors to take part in an international drama-documentary series Small Hands 2, produced by LOOKSFilms. The series will features stories based on letters and diaries from the WW2 interlaced with documentary and archive for transmission on BBC ALBA in 2018/19.
Jim Webster from Solus said “Solus are delighted to be involved in Small Hands 2 and we look forward to seeing what talent the auditions yield. Anyone unable to attend an audition can get in touch via our email address and we can look at submissions online”.
Sorbier Productions have also been busy in the last few weeks auditioning for a lead young female actor and young male supporting lead actor for a children’s drama that is also part of an international project operated through the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) aimed at children aged 6-9. The Gaelic film will be seen across Europe and beyond and in exchange children’s films from across Europe will be available for transmission on BBC ALBA in 2018.
Patsi MacKenzie from Sorbier added “It’s exciting to embark on production of an original Gaelic film for youngsters, within a European framework, where the cinematic legacy is so rich and inspiring. Sorbier aims to produce a highly crafted, stand-out story that will resonate beyond Scotland. We’re especially thrilled by the enthusiastic response we’ve had during the casting process, from primary aged Gaelic speakers interested in performance. Lots of fresh, young talent is coming to the fore”
Margaret Cameron, BBC ALBA, said “To have not one but two short drama productions with opportunities for young Gaelic actors is such a fantastic piece of news. We hope young performers come forward and help us put our Gaelic dramas on the map in Europe”.
Small Hands 2 is produced by LOOKSFilms with production support by Solus Productions. The EBU drama film is produced by Sorbier Productions.
Further details on auditions are available at mail@solusproductions.tv or 0141 353 2502.
COVETED MG ALBA TV WRITING SCHOLARSHIP ON OFFER
As part of MG ALBA’s strategy to provide training and support for Gaelic writers, the Gaelic Media Service (MG ALBA) is offering talented Gaelic writers the opportunity to apply for its coveted scholarship to study television fiction writing at Glasgow Caledonian University.
The MA Television Fiction Writing course is the only dedicated one year postgraduate programme of its type in the UK, providing aspiring screenwriters with the tools to embark upon or strengthen their career in television fiction writing, and MG ALBA are supporting a placement on the course for one Gaelic speaker. An option to undertake the course on a part-time basis over 2 years is also available.
The course is taught by a combination of leading TV scriptwriters and academic staff including course lecturer Professor Ann Marie Di Mambro whose credits include EastEnders, Casualty and River City, and Chris Dolan, author and playwright, whose credits include River City, Taggart and taking Inspector Rebus to radio for BBC Radio 4. Students on the course will work intensively on at least two drama series currently transmitting on British television, learning how to story conference, storyline, write scripts and edit these dramas.
Mairead Hamilton, a talented drama director, won the MG ALBA scholarship in 2016, also a talented drama director, we hear first-hand what Mairead thought of the course in this short video.
Seumas MacMillan was the MG ALBA scholar in 2015. He continues to write for BBC ALBA’s Gaelic drama Bannan, and has been successful in having a half-hour comedy pilot commissioned by BBC ALBA, currently being produced by Solus Productions.
Margaret Cameron, Channel Editor at BBC ALBA said: “We are ambitious for the development of Gaelic writing for television and the scholarship is one of our key means of ensuring we are developing strong, creative writers in Gaelic. This is an exciting opportunity and we look forward to receiving some great applications.”
The MG ALBA scholarship will be awarded to one person, fluent in Gaelic, who will join the programme in September 2017. Applications need to be submitted before Friday 5th May 2017.
For more information on the MA TV Fiction Writing programme and how to apply for an MG ALBA scholarship visit: www.tvfictionwriting.com or follow @MATVGlasgow on Twitter.
YOUNG ARDNAMURCHAN SPORTS COMMENTATOR AND FILMG WINNER GOES BEHIND THE SCENES AT LIVE GLASGOW WARRIORS MATCH
A budding sports commentator from Ardnamurchan joined the broadcasting team at a recent Glasgow Warriors home game following her prize-winning performance in FilmG 2017.
Kate Bradley, 16 shared the commentary box with the voice of PRO12 rugby, Hugh Dan MacLennan and Warriors’ player, Lee Jones at their sold-out match against Zebre at Scotstoun stadium on Friday (April 14) having scooped the award for Best Sports Commentary at the FilmG ceremony held in February.
Nearly 20 entries from schools across Scotland were submitted for this category and whilst judges Alex O’Henley and Derek ‘Pluto’ Murray were impressed by the high standard of all the entries, Kate’s confident, informative, and effortless coverage of the women’s shinty Valerie Fraser Cup Final at An Aird, Fort William bagged her the top spot.
A trip to Glasgow and access to the commentary box during a live BBC ALBA sports broadcast was the prize for Kate’s efforts and whilst the S5 pupil opted to cover women’s shinty for her entry to FilmG, as a keen rugby fan Kate was delighted to attend the match against Italian club Zebre.
The Warriors, kept Hugh Dan and player analyst Lee Jones on their toes with an action-packed performance where they beat the Italian side 45 to 10, creating an enthralling match commentate on.
For Kate, the experience was even better than she had imagined and she loved seeing the professionals at work: from camera-operators, to the sideline reporter, commentator and the rest of the team. Getting to watch the second half from the gantry was a real treat, which Kate shared with fans of Snapchat, of FilmG’s account, along with other snippets from the day.
Kate said: “I had such a great time at the game, the ground was buzzing. It was just amazing to see the whole production team in action – I had never realised the amount of work that goes into a live sports broadcast. My personal highlight was getting to see how everything was brought together – from the careful preparations beforehand to watching the game broadcast live on TV. It was very impressive – and the result was an added bonus!”
Margot McCuaig of mneTV was in charge of the broadcast on the day, and was hugely impressed with Kate’s enthusiasm, encouraging others to give the competition a go in 2018.
Margot said: “It was great to meet Kate and I hope she continues to show such a keen interest in commentary. She’s definitely one to watch out for. Who knows, we could even end up working alongside each other one day! I would encourage anyone with an interest in playing or watching sport to enter the competition this year and it may lead to a whole host of new and exciting opportunities.”
Budding commentators and filmmakers should keep a close eye on FilmG’s social media channels as well as filmg.co.uk, for news of the latest developments as the team prepares to launch the 10th FilmG competition.
MG ALBA ANNOUNCES INVESTMENT IN CREATIVE INDUSTRIES WITH KEY LONG-TERM PRODUCTION CONTRACTS
MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service which operates BBC ALBA in partnership with the BBC, has today announced key production contracts that will deliver a wide range of programming for the channel over the next four years.
Seven production companies will provide content for the channel including entertainment, music, children’s programmes, documentaries and sport.
The contracts have been awarded to companies located across Scotland, including Stornoway, Aberdeen and Glasgow, and mark a further significant investment in Scotland’s creative industries.
A three-year heads of agreement on sports production has been reached with Nemeton Scotland Ltd, a new company which has been established by the highly regarded Irish production company Nemeton TV. Nemeton TV has provided sports to Irish broadcaster TG4 since 1996, as well as to RTÉ, TV3 and Setanta Sports. In addition to sports production, Nemeton TV also produce factual programming in Ireland, including documentaries, health and entertainment programming. Its wholly-owned Scottish subsidiary will employ the staff of the outgoing BBC ALBA sports provider, mneTV.
Agreements have also been made in principle with the following companies:
The four-year model for these companies enables security of supply for the channel and also creates a stable foundation for growth for the companies, including through international co-productions and sales of programmes.
Donald Campbell, MG ALBA’s Chief Executive, said: “These decisions lay the foundations for the future development of BBC ALBA. The decision to work with Nemeton Scotland Ltd offers the potential of creating an exciting new international partnership. All of BBC ALBA’s content must be highly distinctive and this new relationship for sports content creates many opportunities for more collaboration with Ireland.
“We are delighted to strengthen our very close relationship with the creative industries and this will be very important as we continue to secure resources that will enable us to produce more original programming for the channel that is necessary for it to prosper in future.”
John Swinney, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, whose Education brief includes responsibility for Gaelic said: “‘I have been very impressed with the way MG ALBA works with Scotland’s independent TV production sector and it is fantastic to be able to welcome the signing of seven new contracts with Scottish firms.
“These agreements will not only ensure the continuation of quality output on BBC Alba, they will bring important economic and employment benefits for Scotland’s creative industries, broadcasting and Gaelic.
“I want to commend MG ALBA for their innovative way of working, congratulate the independent companies that have secured the contracts and look forward to the continued impressive performance of BBC ALBA.”
Irial Mac Murchú, Nemeton TV’s CEO said: “We are delighted to have won this contract. Producing sport for BBC ALBA in Scotland is an exciting challenge and one we relish. This new relationship cements many of the creative strands that resonate between Ireland and Scotland – language, sport and television. Whilst it is an international contract it feels like an extension of home to be working with our Celtic partners. We look forward to working with MG ALBA and BBC ALBA and developing the opportunities that lie ahead.”
GAELIC MEDIA APPRENTICESHIP OPENS FOR APPLICATIONS
Applications from aspiring media professionals are now being accepted for the next BBC Gaelic Apprenticeship programme.
Operated by BBC Scotland and Glasgow Kelvin College – and supported by MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service – the 2017/2018 course will be the second time the Gaelic apprenticeship has been offered alongside the BBC Scotland apprenticeship, which is about to enter its seventh programme.
The successful candidate will be supported by MG ALBA and will have the opportunity to work across Gaelic platforms such as BBC ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.
In doing so, the candidate will have the chance to gain experience in many of the departments providing content to the channel, including children’s, news-gathering, factual and sport.
With BBC ALBA also accounting for around 50% of the total programme making output from Scotland’s independent production sector, there will also be the opportunity for the apprentice to spend time working with a number of the channel’s independent programme suppliers.
The busy schedule will also see apprentices spending two days per month at Glasgow Kelvin College learning many of the technical and vocational skills they might require in the broadcast media industry, as well as personal development and core skills.
There will also be the opportunity for the apprentice to spend time on placement at the Creative Industries Media Centre in Stornoway – home of MG ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.
Calum Ferguson has been undertaking the BBC Gaelic Apprenticeship since September, the first person to do so. Calum has gained a wealth of experience, spending placements with leading independent companies such as Bees Nees Media, as well as time within various BBC departments. In the near future, Calum has placements organised with BBC Sport and Sky Sports.
Calum said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on BBC Scotland’s Gaelic apprenticeship scheme. I have experienced an incredible range of opportunities in such a short period of time and I am looking forward to the rest of my time here. It is a unique chance for keen young Gaelic speakers and I couldn’t recommend it enough.”
In addition to the Gaelic apprenticeship, 10 BBC Scotland apprenticeships are also available and by September this year, 61 young people will have already completed this exciting apprenticeship over the previous six programmes. The apprenticeship has provided a springboard to careers in TV production and journalism, with some of the former young students going onto degrees in higher education and others moving onto further work at the BBC or other media production organisations.
Iseabail Mactaggart, Director of Strategy and Partnership at MG ALBA, said: “This is our second year of supporting a Gaelic apprenticeship within the BBC Scotland apprenticeship programme and we are pleased once again to enable training for the next generation of media professionals.
“The apprenticeship provides an excellent route into the industry and the successful candidate will learn skills across a wide range of departments, helping to produce a well-rounded professional by the conclusion of the course.”
To apply for the apprenticeship, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/careers. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 18 April 2017.
