NWV and MTNW to merge

NORTH WEST VISION AND MEDIA TRAINING NORTH WEST TO MERGE

THE Northwest’s two leading audiovisual organisations have announced they are to merge. The Boards of North West Vision and Media Training North West have spoken of their delight at the announcement.

Steve Morrison, Chair of North West Vision, together with Margaret McClelland, Chair of Media Training North West, said the new, strategic partnership would deliver a highly focussed, fit for purpose organisation, able to drive forward Northwest TV, radio, film, and digital media businesses.

“The Northwest is already the largest production centre outside London, and by bringing our two organisations together we will be able to maximise even further the opportunities of the BBC Move North. This is not only good news for the region’s businesses and media professionals, but for the broadcasters too,” said Steve Morrison.

It is hoped the two companies will be working together as one, combined force by spring 2007.

“As a combined force, we will continue to develop the talent and skills base of the Northwest, as well as developing new creative, technical and craft talent in the region,” said Margaret McClelland.

The two agencies will be able to attract even more high growth media businesses to the Northwest, helping them to establish a base in the region, and to create more jobs in the industry.

“We look forward to providing our enhanced services as one coherent organisation and working even more closely with our partners, and with the industry, to realise our primary objective of growing the audiovisual content industry in the region,” added the two Chairs.

Media Training North West aims to ensure the Northwest media industry has a highly skilled workforce, capable of leading it into a 21st Century, multi-media landscape. It offers a range of training solutions for media companies, employees and freelances, acting as a one-stop shop to provide the industry with solutions - not problems. Find out more at: www.mtnw.co.uk

Since its inception in 2001 Media Training North West has developed more than 1000 individuals, supported 250 companies (with training plans, mentoring, business development training); and supported 120 new entrants into industry placements. In a recent training scheme working with some of TV’s top dramas, including Life On Mars and Waterloo Road, 70% of trainees went on to gain employment contracts.

Media Training North West has won two major training awards including the Skills To Work award for Training Innovation in the Workplace.

North West Vision is the film, TV and digital media development agency for England’s Northwest. It works behind the scenes, supporting, funding and promoting film, TV and digital production in the Northwest.