PLASA’s managing director Matthew Griffiths commented: "Concerns about the lack of suitable and relevant training in the entertainment technology industry have been voiced for some time, and PLASA originally scheduled this appointment into its long-term strategy as part of its first five-year plan in 2000. During 2001, we conducted an extensive programme of research into the issue with the aid of our members, which enabled us to move on to the next stage."
He continued: "I am very pleased to have now reached this point in the process, and I welcome Nicky to our team at Eastbourne. I’m sure that by working principally with our members and drawing on their experience and expertise in their own fields, we can go a long way to addressing the lack of dedicated skills training that our research has identified."
Nicky’s first task will be to formulate a Training & Development Plan, which will outline the best way forward in meeting members’ training requirements. Amongst other objectives, the project will involve the creation of a searchable online database carrying detailed information on existing training courses, which will be freely accessible to PLASA members, and will also examine the possibility of establishing schemes for subsidising training courses in conjunction with training and educational bodies. While it is envisaged that the main focus of the plan will be on technical training and continued professional development, the remit will also cover other important business-related areas, such as management training and IT.
Nicky has a broad experience of training: she began her career studying microbiology at Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline) where she took on responsibility for training issues. From there, she was employed as a trainer at Laura Ashley, focusing on sales techniques and design. For the past five years, Nicky was course leader in interior design and three-dimensional design at a further education college, during which time she has taught on Btec National Diplomas, Higher National Diplomas and City & Guilds courses. Nicky has also run training courses for local Enterprise Centres aimed at helping small retailers.
Commenting on her new position, she says: "This will be a broad-based role which will require feedback and active involvement from PLASA Members. I would ask all PLASA members to contact me with their views on training issues - they don’t have to wait for a formal research document to arrive - I’ll be happy to hear from them at any time."
(Lee Baldock)
