BTSR guidebook ~ Training & skills self-evaluation
Channel m - Bespoke Edit Training
| Date: | April 2008 |
|---|---|
| Contact: | David Johnson |
| Telephone: | 0161 919 5342 |
The staff levels at Channel m had been rising exponentially between August 2006 and August 2007, rising from 18 to 91 staff.
To harness full potential, several people were employed with multi-skilling in mind. However, it was noted that certain key staff did not have a fundamental understanding of basic editing skills. These skills would be essential moving forward and a solution to the problem was required. It was also decided that the training would be offered across the four main areas of the business: News, Sport, Breakfast and Lifestyle.
The initial concept was to host several workshops using an industry-recognised Trainer and to train staff at weekends and in groups of five and six. The cost of this training was estimated at £2,500 per session, with four or five sessions required. Due to the excessive cost and general inconvenience to the staff an alternative solution was required. The bespoke aspect of this training was also lacking, with the nuances between the four areas not being catered for.
Therefore, one-to-one training was arranged with a freelance Editor who had been working with Channel m for twelve months. His understanding of the business and the nuances between departments meant that time and effort was spent teaching skills in the right areas. Each nominated person was assigned up to ten hours with the Editor and, depending on existing skill level and ability, focused on their exact requirements.
This meant sometimes two people per day were trained upwards with their editing skills. The cost for these sessions was £150 per day and to date we have spent less than £2,000 and we have trained almost 30 members of staff in new skills or improved existing ability.
The new skills will enable staff to create their own pieces of work without waiting for a Craft Editor; news throughput has increased, meaning more stories are produced each day. Producers and Researchers can assist their teams by digitising material and saving time for the Craft Editor.
Overall there has been a marked improvement in skill levels amongst staff and the efficiency of all the staff saves time and money almost every day.
There is a further benefit with more staff being interchangeable between departments, so we can normally make savings on hiring freelance staff for some productions.
