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A funding package for training and development in television and digital media has been announced,

The Creative Edge partnership will be worth more than £1.4 million over three years to Scottish talent and creative businesses.

The four partners are broadcaster Channel 4, Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and TRC media, the Glasgow-based training specialist which will deliver the wide-ranging programmes.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening the talent and business base in Scotland in what is a priority sector for the Scottish Government.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:

"Television and digital media support 42,000 jobs in Scotland and make a valuable contribution to the success of our world-leading creative industries. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting Scotland's creative economy by working closely with the sector as well as relevant public sector agencies to ensure the appropriate support is in place.

"I am particularly pleased to see a major broadcaster such as Channel 4 working together with TRC and public sector organisations on this initiative. Partnership working of this kind is vital to promote the creative industries sector as a whole. By nurturing Scottish talent and offering opportunities for international collaboration, the Creative Edge partnership will enhance this dynamic sector while reinforcing Scotland's global reputation for creative excellence."

There are six main strands in the Creative Edge project, some aimed at emerging digital talent and others designed for established industry leaders:

1. Gen Up: An intensive immersion programme in which hand-picked emerging digital talent will learn from leading industry practitioners in all aspects of creative digital media
2. Cross Creative: A nine month initiative enabling creative leaders from Scottish digital companies to expand their knowledge and their networks. Delegates will visit world-class Silicon Valley companies including Pixar, Ideo and Facebook
3. Format Developers Programme: A specialist training scheme in developing new entertainment and factual formats for television series and online content
4. International Access: Field trips by Scottish producers to the US and Canada to meet top broadcasters and potential production partners in international territories
5. Emerging Creative Leaders: A leadership development scheme for emerging creative professionals who can lead teams in all aspects of broadcast and digital production
6. Creative Breakfasts: A portfolio of events with guest speakers that provide content creators with the latest thinking across TV and multimedia

Carol Sinclair, Director of TRC media, said:

"This is an exciting initiative that builds on the work we have done to help Scottish creative content companies take advantage of international markets and opportunities, and lets us provide a richer variety of training and development for talent in the industry."

David Abraham, Chief Executive of Channel 4, commented:

"Channel 4 is passionate about creativity and talent development and we are always keen to support really smart initiatives such as Creative Edge."

Linda McPherson, Director of Creative Industries for Scottish Enterprise, said:

"The creative industry sector is already a major contributor to Scotland's economy. However with technology changing the way TV content is produced, delivered and viewed, there are many opportunities for business growth and collaboration across different sectors, opening up new avenues of revenue and new markets. We want to ensure our companies are equipped to take advantage of these opportunities and that's what Creative Edge will provide."

Caroline Parkinson, Director of Creative Development for Creative Scotland, added:

"Scotland is home to world leading companies creating digital content across a number of platforms. The Creative Edge partnership is instrumental in developing Scotland's talent in the broadcast and independent TV production sector and the benefit of working with world-class companies such as Facebook and Pixar will build on those strengths. This initiative, with high-level industry backing and its focus on skills, alongside our other broadcast partnerships, will be key to stimulating growth in the cultural economy."

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