Plug-In Placement Update

Media Training North West?s latest placement scheme is now well under way. As part of ?The Game Plan?, the scheme focuses on digital technologies, especially games. More than 80 applications were received and from those, 9 talented trainees were appointed

Alice Harland is scheduling programmes for BBC Big Screen and will contribute to a ?Fat Nation? event in Manchester in October 2004. Carrie Wilkes is working as a digital-video camera operator at Granada TV Factuals. Nathan Guttridge is developing characters in computer-generated images for Box. Jamie Martin and Rob Hewson are developing interactive marketing and technology solutions at KMP. Gavin Grierson works as a Graphics Programmer and Iain Douglas as a Project Development Assistant for Onteca. Finally, Jay Hollingum will design Flash games with Stardotstar and Joe Cripps will develop concept art for new video games for Blue Beck, Bollington.

Nikk Smith, Technical Director at KMP, said: ?The placements arranged through MTNW provide a win-win situation for both parties. The level of candidates available is remarkably high and placements allow us to move internal projects forward whilst also mentoring new people on our working practices and quality standards. This way of working is far preferable to the random trawling and assessment of candidates through interview.?

All trainees are mentored by media professionals for the duration of the placement. They also benefit from employment-ready training such as how to create an effective CV and covering letter, and develop effective interview skills. Alice Harland said of her placement that it is ?a unique opportunity to polish on my technical skills which will lead to the development of my radio career. I have secured an interview at the BBC that I will prepare for with help of the CV and interview skills training course?.