BBC and Creative Skillset Funding for Radio and Audio Training

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1 BBC and Creative Skillset Funding for Radio and Audio Training Grants for radio and audio professionals: BBC and Creative Skillset Funding for Radio and Audio Training consists of bursaries for individuals working on a freelance basis in the UK radio and audio industry to spend on short courses or other short term training and development solutions as part of their continuing professional development (CPD). The radio and audio industry needs a wide range of skills to support its future development and growth. These range from core skills creativity, pitching, writing and storytelling, production, recording and editing to those skills related to understanding and exploiting the potential of changing and emerging digital technology, new services and content. There is also a need for constant updating of business skills to identify new markets and business models and for the development of leadership and management skills to meet the challenges of a changing industry. We do not specify particular courses which can be funded. A wide range of radio courses can be found on the Creative Skillset course directory but this is not an exhaustive list. What we ask is that applicants choose courses that are delivered by a recognised training provider or by high calibre industry professionals and that they can make a strong argument for the career benefits of undertaking the training and development activity. The funding is open to freelancers working for the major radio broadcasters including commercial, BBC and community radio; independent radio and audio production and post production; and in wider digital content development games and apps related to the radio and audio industry. It is vital, however, that the funds are spent on training that enhances the opportunities for the applicant to work in the radio/audio industry, rather than progressing solely in games, TV, film or post production sound. Funding for these bursaries opens on 2 June 2014 and will be open until 31 March 2015 or when the fund is fully allocated, whichever is first. Getting Advice Creative Skillset has an online application process which you will be able to access through our website at: Please take time to read these guidelines carefully before starting the online form. All the information you need about the application process and what we can fund can be found within these pages.

2 For further information and advice contact: Fund Administrator T: E: F: We receive a high volume of calls so please be patient if you get through to a voic . Your call will be returned as soon as possible. 2

3 CONTENTS 1. BBC and Creative Skillset Funding for Radio and Audio Training What is the funding for? 2. Can I apply? Who can apply? Who cannot apply? 3. What can I apply for? What type of training can be supported? What won t BBC and Creative Skillset Funding for Radio and Audio Training support? 4. Amount of support How much can I apply for? Freelancers Additional support (travel, accommodation and/or childcare costs) The rest of the money you need 5. Information to help you apply When can I apply? How many times can I apply? 6. How do I apply? Online application process What do I need to send with my application? Where should I send my application? How do I know I have completed the online application process? 7. How will my application be assessed? What we look for 8. What happens next? When will I know the result of my application? If your application is unsuccessful If your application is successful How will my grant be paid? Conditions of individual funding for radio and audio Funding Timetable 9 3

4 1. BBC and Creative Skillset Funding for Radio and Audio Training What is Funding for Radio and Audio Training? Funding for Radio and Audio Training takes the form of bursaries for freelancers working in the UK radio and audio industry to spend on short courses and short term coaching/ mentoring solutions (CPD) to benefit their career development. This training and development can address a wide range of skills needs from editorial, craft and technical skills to business, team working, management and leadership skills. The emphasis is particularly on applicants developing skills to make them better prepared to take on the challenges of digital technology, new content development and new service provision. Funding for this programme has been made available by the BBC and Creative Skillset. Individual funding for radio and audio can be spent on any course that meets a demonstrable need for career progression or up-skilling. Applicants can choose training from the Creative Skillset course directory here: Alternatively, you may find other courses or training solutions that are relevant to your current or future work. If your interest is not in radio and audio, but TV and film, then you should apply to the relevant TV and film bursary funds here: 2. Can I apply? You can apply for funding if you: can demonstrate proven paid professional experience working regularly within the UK radio and audio industry 1 as a freelancer; provide a reference from an employer for which you have worked; and, if returning to work after a career break, be able to indicate how this training is essential to your continued employability in the UK radio and audio industry; are working for a community radio station; have experience of more than one role working as a researcher, producer, writing/delivering scripted reports, presenting or offering technical support to the station; are looking to gain paid work in the radio and audio industry; and can supply a reference from the station manager at the community radio station at which you are working to support your application and to confirm your role(s) at the station; can demonstrate how the training you are applying for will benefit your career in the UK radio/audio industry. Plans to progress solely in games, TV or film will not be acceptable; have a permanent address in the UK; are not receiving any other form of Creative Skillset subsidy to attend the training. This includes any funding that has been awarded directly to the training provider to assist in developing the course. And the course you have chosen: 1 The radio and audio industry is defined as the major radio broadcasters, including commercial, BBC, community radio and independent radio and audio production and post production companies. 4

5 is delivered by a recognised training provider or high calibre industry professional working in their specialist field; starts no earlier than one day after the date your application is received by Creative Skillset. Please note that it can take up to four weeks for us to reach a decision on your application. If you decide to go on your course before you receive a decision, Creative Skillset does not accept responsibility for funding your attendance. Wherever possible, please try to allow four weeks between making your application to Creative Skillset and the start of your course. You cannot apply for funding if you: are in full-time education; do not have a permanent UK address; are applying on behalf of an organisation; are a full-time employee with more than 365 days remaining on a fixed-term contract; cannot demonstrate experience working in the radio and audio industry that shows you are either regularly working or have worked regularly in this sector. 3. What can I apply for? What type of training can be supported? Individual funding for radio and audio will support training that develops skills within a wide range of areas. These areas have been identified as a result of research and consultation with the industry on short and long-term skills gaps. 1. Editorial and production skills including but not limited to: creativity; ideas generation and development; pitching; storytelling; working with presenters; editorial judgement. 2. Craft and technical skills, including those related to the use of online/social media and digital platform technology, including, but not limited to: social media; multiplatform content development; multiplatform content distribution; recording using a range of different tech including phones and tablets; recording on a budget; editing; how to drive a desk; sound engineering. 3. Business, team working, leadership and management skills, including but not limited to: self-management; managing for the first time; managing teams; managing diverse people; finance and budgeting skills; negotiation and influencing; marketing and sales techniques; 5

6 creating your own brand. Funding offered will only support training through structured courses with training providers, or a qualification through a recognised assessment centre, and not through ad hoc arrangements with freelancers or companies. Coaching arrangements should be with a qualified coach or industry expert. You may apply to attend training outside of the UK but you must demonstrate why this is more appropriate than training in the UK. All training must take place within 12 months of the date of your offer letter. If this is not possible due to the schedule of the course, please contact the Fund Administrator as soon as possible for further advice. What won t Funding for Radio and Audio Training support? This funding won t support the following: Full-time and long term part-time graduate or postgraduate degree studies. Training that is already supported by the BBC and Creative Skillset. Creative Skillset subsidises the cost of training in two ways: direct funding to a training organisation to run a specific scheme/course or direct funding to individuals. If Creative Skillset has already subsidised a course by giving finance to a training provider, it is not able to give funding to individuals for these specific courses as this would amount to doublefunding. Training not arranged through a recognised industry training provider or assessment centre. Attendance at networking, festivals or social events. The purchase of equipment. Travel, accommodation and/or childcare costs only. 4. Amount of Support How much can I apply for? Freelancers can apply for up to 80% of the combined course fees, travel and accommodation costs to a maximum of 800, inclusive of VAT. You are a freelancer if you are currently: employed in radio and audio on a fixed term contract of less than 364 days; in employment in radio and audio but can prove that you have been given a date for termination of employment and will become a freelancer; unemployed but have previous professional experience working in radio and audio within the past two years. Example Course cost: Travel costs: Childcare costs: Total: % x = Travel and Accommodation Costs We will only pay travel and accommodation costs in addition to the course fees, never on their own. 6

7 Travel and accommodation costs will only be supported if your training is held more than 50 miles from your home. Your home is the address you live at and must be the address you give on the application form you may need to provide proof of address if your application is successful. Travel and accommodation will only be supported at a standard rate: overnight accommodation within the UK but outside London 60 per night; overnight accommodation in London 90 per night; overnight accommodation outside the UK 90 per night; flights economy rates only; rail travel standard class fares only; car travel 45p per mile. Childcare costs We will pay a contribution to childcare costs, in addition to the course fees, and never on their own. Rates are as follows: Up to a maximum of 40 per day within London; Up to a maximum of 30 per day outside London but within the UK. Proof of childcare costs/arrangements will need to be supplied if your application is successful. Remainder of Costs You will need to find a percentage of the money you need for your training from sources outside Creative Skillset. As an example, sources may include: Grants from trusts and foundations; Grants from Scottish Local Enterprise Councils; A contribution from you. 5. Information to help you apply When can I apply? The deadline for applications is 31 March 2015 and you may apply for funding at any time until then. However, there can be high demand for these funds and the scheme will close once all the funds have been allocated, which may be before this date. How many times can I apply? You may only make one application at a time but you can apply for more than one course in a single application. Please contact us if you need help with more than one training need. When can I apply again? If your application is successful you may not reapply for funds to spend on radio and audio training until 12 months after the date of your offer letter and once your training is complete and all terms and conditions have been met. There may be other Creative Skillset funds you are eligible for. Please check our website for details: If your application is unsuccessful you may reapply for funding for training. Before doing so, however, we strongly recommend you get advice and more detailed feedback on why your application was unsuccessful. 7

8 6. How do I apply? Online application process Applications for a funding can be done using our online application form. You can log onto this form on the following link: When you log onto the online form for the first time, you will be asked to set up your own Creative Skillset application form account. This means that you do not need to complete your application in one session; i.e. you can save and come back to it when you are ready. This will also enable you to look at previous online applications you have made if you apply for funding for training in the future. Creative Skillset staff will not have access to your personal application account. The online form takes you through the application step by step and should not take more than 20 minutes to complete. Before you start filling in the form, make sure you have the following information available: The name of your chosen training course(s). The name and address of the training provider(s). The cost of the training and any additional costs if you are eligible to claim them; The dates of your training. Online copy of your CV/broadcast credit list. Online letter of recommendation from your station manager where you are currently working for a community radio station. Online copy of your acceptance on the course and confirming the course costs either a company header letter or from the training provider. Online copy of the course outline. The first page of the application is an eligibility test. If you do not pass this test you will be directed to a Creative Skillset webpage which will give you information on alternative sources of funding. If you do not pass the test but think you are eligible for a funding please call the Fund Administrator on Once you have reached the last page of the form and are ready to submit your application you will be asked to attach the following documents: CV or credit list. Letter of recommendation from your station manager where appropriate. Confirmation of your place on the course and confirmation of course costs. Online copy of the course outline. If you do not attach these documents, your application will not be eligible for assessment. If you have problems attaching your documents please call the Fund Administrator on Once you have completed the application form and attached your supporting documents you must press the submit icon on your screen. Until you do this, your application has not been submitted to Creative Skillset to be assessed. You will automatically be sent a receipt of application with a tracking number if you do not receive this, please check your junk mailbox and if it is not there contact us immediately. 8

9 7. How will my application be assessed? What we look for All applications will be assessed using the information in your application form, CV and training details against the following criteria: Your experience in the radio and audio industry this may be confirmed by a request for references if necessary. Your commitment to your chosen career. Your potential to succeed in the radio and audio industry. Your career aims. Evidence of your skills need. Demonstration that the chosen training will have a positive effect on your career. The quality of the training you apply to attend including relevance to current working practices. Whether this training would meet the skills need you have identified in your application. There is a high demand for Creative Skillset funds. We will assess your application against all of these criteria equally. 8. What happens next? You will know if your funding application has been successful within four weeks of the date on which your full application is received. Remember that for your application to be successful, you will need to have submitted the application form at least one working day before the training course is due to start. If you decide to attend training in the meantime, Creative Skillset does not accept responsibility for funding your attendance. Please bear in mind that, to ensure equality of opportunity, we cannot speed up the assessment process. If your application is unsuccessful If your application for funding is unsuccessful, we will send you a letter outlining the reasons why. If your application is successful If your application for Creative Skillset funding is successful, you will receive an offer letter outlining the offer and our terms and conditions (see below). You must accept the offer within two weeks of the date of the letter. This means signing the offer letter and returning it to us with your bank details. We may also ask for proof of your address this will be indicated in your offer letter. Any offers not accepted within two weeks will be withdrawn. Creative Skillset cannot release any funding until we receive your signed offer letter. If we offer you funding but you no longer wish to accept it, please let us know in writing by , fax or post. How will my funding be paid? Your funding will be paid directly into your personal bank account in two stages: Stage 1: 50% of your award will be paid on receipt of your signed offer letter; Stage 2: 50% of your award will be paid on receipt of your online survey (see conditions of Creative Skillset funding for training), and confirmation from the training provider that you have completed the training. 9

10 Please note that you are responsible for paying the training provider/assessment centre. Creative Skillset does not accept responsibility for transferring funds to training providers/assessment centres. Conditions of Funding for Radio and Audio Training All Creative Skillset funds are subject to the following terms and conditions: The funding may only be used for the training purposes outlined in your application. You will attend the training in its entirety unless there are mitigating circumstances, in which case it is your responsibility to inform us and liaise with the training provider to try and reschedule. You will complete all documentation required both before and after you have completed the course(s). You will complete the Creative Skillset online survey within four weeks of the end of your training - your offer letter will tell you what to include in your report. You agree to be contacted by Creative Skillset in the future to determine the success of your training in achieving your career aims. You agree to take part in Creative Skillset s evaluation process if requested. If you do not meet one or more of the conditions outlined above, Creative Skillset reserves the right to withdraw your funding and may request repayment of funding already released. 9. Creative Skillset funding timetable You may find it helpful to use this timetable when planning your application for funding. Date online application and all supporting documents received by Creative Skillset The date we will use will be the date the last piece of supporting documentation is submitted to us. Once we have all the requested documents your application is passed to the assessors. 1 day after your application is received Your training can start one working day after your application is received. Automated confirmation that we have received your application if you have not attached all the supporting documentation, you will be contacted to do so within two weeks. 4 weeks after your application is received Creative Skillset tells you whether or not your application has been successful. If successful, you will receive an offer letter. If unsuccessful, we will tell you why. 6 weeks after your application is received You must accept an offer within two weeks of the date of the offer letter by signing and returning it to us. When you return it you must also send your bank details. Creative Skillset will release the first 50% of your funding when we receive this. 4 weeks after the end of your training You must complete the online evaluation survey and provide evidence that you attended the training. Please contact bursaries@creativeskillset.org for a link to the online survey when you are ready to complete it. Creative Skillset will not release the final 50% of your funding until we have received these items. The funding will then be closed. 10