FICCI to start worshops for skilled workers in media industry

Industry, experts say, needs to focus on creating centres of excellence in every state

To address the challenge of unavailability of skilled workers in the media and entertainment industry, FICCI will soon start a certification programme.

Actor Kamal Haasan, who is chairman of FICCI's Media & Entertainment Skills Council, said that the federation is working with unions to run workshops and certification of institutes in the country.

He was talking on the sidelines of a workshop on exports of Education and Entertainment Services organised by FICCI and Ministry of Commerce.

The initiative would enable creation of a sustainable eco-system, accomplishing the long term goal of producing quality skilled workforce at various occupational levels in the sector.

According to FICCI's estimate media & entertainment industry is projected to grow to Rs 1,457 billion by 2016.

The council has been set up under the National Skills Development Mission, Government of India under the aegis of National Skill Development Corporation and promoted by FICCI.

Speaking at the workshop Subhash Ghai, film director, producer and screenwriter second largest export in US is entertainment, but we (India) have done anything, however wr are now waking up.

Commerce can grow only when the art is taken care. Major challenge for the industry is skilled workers and our education and approach need to change. Media education need to be introduced in 5th and 8th standard itself. Our education is memory based, while in Western parts they are skill based.

"We must focus on creating centre of excellence in every state and should create global standards and competition," said Ghai.