Report – Panel 5: Training and Development – New Initiatives, New Entrants
Speakers:
Belinda Peach Peachy
Abigail Fairhurst, Brown Bag Films
Steve Swanborough, Freelance animator, motion designer and editor
Praveen Zacharias, Brown Bag Films,
Rose Marley, Sharp Futures
Helen Brunsdon, Creative Skillset
Adrian Healey, The Manchester Growth Company
Takeaway: Getting ahead in the industry is about hard work, dedication and work experience, whether that’s in relevant positions or simply by improving your social skills working in Costa Coffee.
Detail:
The panel looked at:
- The changes to the apprenticeship schemes coming in April 2017 and what will be expected of businesses.
- Why universities and industry need to work together more.
- How the transition from education to work can be improved
- The beauty of growing and nurturing apprentices and watching individuals grow and flourish as they gain more and more on the job training.
- Manchester should spearhead training in basic level digital skills to help move the industry forward – especially in light of recently announced Google initiatives to foster digital literacy.
- How newbies coming into the industry, need to understanding what the sector wants and have better background on what the jobs are, being specific about what they want from their work in animation, and showing a passion for animation – that is attractive to employers.
Related Profiles

Host/Moderator
Belinda Peach
Peachy
Director

Speaker
Helen Brunsdon
Creative Skillset
Animation Associate

Speaker
Abigail Fairhurst
Brown Bag Films
Layout Assistant

Speaker
Adrian Healey
The Manchester Growth Company
Director of Business Development

Speaker
Rose Marley
SharpFutures
Chief Executive

Speaker
Praveen Zacharias
Brown Bag Films
Toon Boom Compositer/Renderer

Speaker
Steve Swanborough
Freelance
Animator, Motion Designer and Editor

Producer
Belinda Peach
Peachy
Director