MG ALBA is one of the ‘Best Places to Work’ in television, according to one of the industry’s leading publications.

For a fourth consecutive year, Broadcast Magazine has named the key partner behind BBC ALBA as one of the top 30 TV companies across the UK.

The Gaelic broadcast service employs 34 staff across sites in Stornoway, Inverness and Glasgow.

The shortlist is compiled through independent research carried out by the magazine, with senior management and staff members at companies across the UK who are asked to give their views about their own organisation and its culture.

Their feedback is then measured against a series of established benchmarks.

MG ALBA is also heavily committed to offering young Gaelic speakers the opportunity to build a career in the creative industries.

Its summer internship programme provides a rich range of experiences, whilst FilmG affords emerging young talent an opportunity to shine on a national stage.

This approach has also been recognised with the award of a Gold Investors in Young People accreditation, and a Silver Investors in People status. Both represent a ‘step up’ from previous assessments, reflecting the company’s growing approach to supporting people.

MG ALBA Chief Executive Donald Campbell says:

“I am delighted that we’ve again been recognised as one of the industry standard bearers for the working environment we have created at MG ALBA.

“Our flexible approach for staff helps everyone. From condensed hours, term time working, or part-time, we aim to work with our colleagues to find solutions which work, and reflect modern-life in Scotland, and the broadcast sector. Staff can also take unpaid leave to take part in creative projects. This allows them to gain new experiences, which is ultimately rewarding for us, as well as them.

“We also provide a range of benefits such as corporate gym membership, community events, the opportunity to attend key events, and an annual away day. It is, however, about more than that. For me, it is about the culture we have created within the organisation. We value our people, and we want to hold on to our best talent, but we are only able to do that by creating an environment where people love to come to work.”

Abigail MacIver (18-year-old) former summer placement student is now working for MG ALBA. She says:

“I have always wanted to do something that involved working within media or TV and this summer placement gave me a taste of the different areas MG ALBA is involved in. I love working here. It has been a great experience. Everyone wants you to do well they are always trying to help you. It is a really great working environment.”

Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP comments:

“My congratulations to MG ALBA for their recognition as a great employer with these awards.

“We recognise the cultural, economic, educational, health and social benefits that Gaelic language and culture brings to the whole of Scotland. That’s why we want to increase the number of users of the language while increasing opportunities to use it in everyday situations.

“Broadcasting Gaelic-speaking film and television is vital to ensure its continuation at the heart of our cultural identity.”

Mary Leishman, Investors in Young People assessor comments:

“MG ALBA have for the past ten years recruited, trained and developed young people to a very high standard and given them opportunities to develop their careers in Gaelic media. They thoroughly deserve to have achieved the Gold Standard of the Investors in Young People Good Practice Award.”