THE opportunities presented by the new Shinfield Studios is exciting Wokingham’s councillor responsible for business, with a pilot scheme launching next month.
Ward councillor Jackie Rance wanted know more about conversations between the council and the studios relating to the employment and skills opportunities for residents.
Cllr Stuart Munro, executive member for business and economic development, said there was the prospect of significant investment to come in addition to what had already been announced.
“(There are a) huge range of potential professions and trades that feature in the supply chain that offers significant scope to connect residents to employment and skills development opportunities,” he said.
“It is also anticipated that this will be a long-term feature of the local economy and a major stimulus of economic growth so that the creation of opportunities for local people could be sustained for many years.”
He added the council was in discussions with the studios, the university, and other parties to develop a model to maximise these opportunities.
“Work has started on the concept of developing a Cine-Link hub to facilitate productive relationships between Cine Valley companies, the university, the council and a variety of stakeholders in the local community,” he said.
“The Cine-Link hub would aim to remove barriers to entry to film and television industry jobs, diversify the workforce and respond to the demand for talent, enabling the development of a unique talent pipeline that can respond quickly to the incoming production companies utilising the studio space – noting that there isn’t a single end user but a number of production companies who will book chunks of studio time according to their needs.
And the council was looking at the long-term picture, with a pilot scheme running from next month through to June next year. This would see the council team up with Resource Productions to deliver opportunities to residents.
“The aim (is to equip) residents with knowledge, skills and contacts to access work in film and television and to develop the aspirations of a younger cohort of borough residents in an outreach programme working with targeted local schools.
“While offering immediate benefits to participants the pilot will also the inform longer term approaches and consolidate the partnership working that will be required to make the Cine-Link hub a success.”
