£1m boost for North West digital sector

Digital media organisation Vision+Media has received £1 million in funding to help grow the creative sector in the North West.

The funding, awarded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency, will be used to further the Digital Media Skills Programme (DMSP), which aims to maintain the region’s status as one of the most important for the digital and creative sector in the UK.

More opportunities for employment within the sector are expected to become available in the region with the creation of MediaCityUK and the arrival of five major BBC departments.

A number of skills programmes will be funded with the money made available, and will benefit individuals of all experience from new entrants to business leaders.

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: “The digital and creative sector is a priority sector for the North West and will be a key area in driving the region’s growth as we start to come out of the recession.

“We must continue to improve the skills in the digital field to ensure that North West companies and media professionals can get the skills at all levels to exploit opportunities of BBC North and MediaCityUK.”

Lynne McCadden, Director of Skills and New Projects at Vision+Media, added: “At Vision+Media we believe in creating a world class digital and creative economy in England’s North West.

“The Digital Media Skills Programme is critical to the continued success and growth of the digital media sector, in the face of rapidly changing technology and the shifting media landscape.

“Vision+Media will help create a workforce, which is equipped with the skills needed for the digital age and ready to make the most of the exciting opportunities ahead.”

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