IMDA Unveils Talent Development Initiatives

Singapore’s Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) has launched several initiatives to develop the skill sets of local producers and help them expand their international businesses.

The new initiatives were announced by Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran at Asia TV Forum.

The Skills Framework for Media was developed by IMDA, SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) following consultations with 90-plus organizations, including industry associations, unions and educational institutions. The framework covers 112 media job roles and identifies 130 technical competencies for the new media landscape. Mediacorp, Beach House Pictures and mm2 Entertainment are among the companies that have committed to the new framework.

Via the Public Service Media (PSM) Digital Partnership Fund, Singaporean producers are being encouraged to collaborate with international entities on public-service content for digital platforms.

There is also a proposed two-year collaboration between Disney and the IMDA that would see the creation of a studio for Southeast Asian digital-first, multiplatform content. Disney will also partner with and train local creators to develop and produce the studio’s first slate of eight digital-first, multiplatform titles for distribution on Disney’s platforms.

IMDA is also working with Facebook on the Facebook Creator Lab.

“Exciting opportunities await individuals and enterprises in the media industry, especially in this part of the world,” Iswaran said in unveiling the new initiatives. “To enable Singaporeans to fully benefit from these broad trends, we are investing in skills and talent development, as well as industry partnerships. We look forward to working with all of you to build a future-ready media industry in Singapore, and to create more Made-with-Singapore content.”