EDUCATION AND TRAINING INITIATIVE
EDUCATION AND TRAINING INITIATIVE
ABOUT THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING INITIATIVE
THE AIMS OF THE EDUCATION and TRAINING INITIATIVE
THE VALUES OF THE EDUCATION and TRAINING INITIATIVE
The APRS is an umbrella organisation for the sound recording industry. It has long realised the great necessity for an industry body to oversee training and education. Over the last eight years APRS has been cooperating with other trade and industry organisations to advance the principles of effective and appropriate training and education in the music industry as a whole.
From outside, the recording industry is considered by many to be extremely glamorous and,of course, this image is perpetuated by record company publicity. For young people wishing to enter our industry this image is a misconception as in reality the work is hard and the hours are long. Opportunities for entry into some sectors of the industry are very rare and as a result our studio managers are constantly overwhelmed by mountains of CV's.
However the role of training and education has an increasingly important place in the development of the technological and artistic future of our industry. The music industry itself is tremendously diverse and the recording and sound industry reflects that diversity through the artists, engineers producers and manufacturers that we represent. As the pace of technological change grows, particularly in computer based operations, our skills must be adapted and improved constantly, if we are to build on the heritage of excellence and keep ahead of competition. Training therefore must encompass the diversity of the industry.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING ORGANISATIONS & APRS ACCREDITATION
Over the years we at the APRS have monitored a steady proliferation of music and technology related training courses. In the main these courses are extremely worthwhile, both in the public and private sectors, particularly those that have been academically validated by universities and other authorities. However we have seen tremendously varying standards in both academic and vocational aims and in appropriateness to our industry.
The APRS has always been willing to accept the fact that there will inevitably be variations in standards of education in all spheres, depending greatly upon the financial situation and the skill of lecturing. The Association also appreciates the tremendous value of qualifications, as long as they are relevant to the industry. What the APRS finds hard to accept is the wanton low standard high cost courses that are presented in many cases with false guarantees of industry placement and worthless exit qualifications.
With full cooperation and approval of the educational establishment, The APRS has embarked upon an Accreditation process in order to regulate the standard of training and to monitor the progress of the students, from school into worthwhile work.
A committee of professionals from several areas of the industry meets regularly to monitor progress and to approve accreditations. This very rigorous and specialised process has already started and five courses have received full APRS accreditation. Once accreditation is achieved, the courses are revisited every two years.
STUDENT RECRUITMENT INTO THE INDUSTRY and WORK PLACEMENT
As an extension and added value to the accreditation process we are structuring a register of students available for employment and a scheme for work experience placements. This will be available to employers on the internet and by hard copy. We are also in the process of identifying gifted students in advance of their graduation so that they can be fed into the industry and given encouragement during their course. Work placement and referment to employers will be seen as something that a student earns rather than as a right.
The accreditation process will continue to develop into other areas of Music Technology and the Association is working to involve other trade associations in the joint accreditation of courses. This will involve PLASA, the BPI, the MPA, MPG, Metier and others. This process will foster dialogue with the other sides of industry to ensure cooperation as well as competition in the future. It is envisaged that there will be jointly organised courses for existing staff on commonly agreed areas and this will also facilitate networking of staff from different sides of the industry.
INTERNATIONAL TRAINING FOR TRAINERS
A' Training for Trainers' programme is to be developed so that industry personnel feel comfortable in passing on their skills to students in a lecture situation and assist them to attain skills in general presentation. This will ensure that the industry can supply an adequate number of skilled personnel into the education system and create opportunities for those industry staff who become interested in learning teaching skills.
This scheme is being developed on an international basis, particularly for those overseas areas considered by manufacturers to be developing markets, whereby their own local staff can learn to teach customers both operational and technical techniques with greater efficiency. APRS Training Director David Ward has been developing and researching this type of training for some time.
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT OF EXISTING INDUSTRY STAFF
The ETI plans to investigate the training requirements of existing industry staff employed in recording and post production studios and in the manufacturing industries. This research will encompass both technical and administrative staff and will include updated management training for executives. Further research will cover www. education and training possibilities together with distance and open learning for industry staff. This will include the construction of a suitable framework for computer assisted learning using multi media techniques.
These initiatives will eventually qualify for European funding and will be consistent with UK government and European directives for "Lifelong Learning". They will be undertaken in cooperation with Educational members who run courses accredited by APRS. David Ward has been researching and developing these schemes for the past eight years.
NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (NVQs)
The APRS is working closely with Metier the government sponsored Industry Training Organisation (ITO) for the arts and entertainments industries. The formulation of Scottish and National Vocational Qualifications for the recording and live sound industries is nearing completion after many years of hard work. Most current initiatives and funding are closely linked to the establishment of NVQs and these will soon to be submitted to the government for approval.
EATi main index | APRS main site