Press Release from Embargo:
In a determined bid to create new opportunities in the notoriously difficult television job market, two of the country’s leading organisations are partnering to provide 10 short term work contracts for Australian Film, Television & Radio School (AFTRS)graduates of the Foundation Diploma.
The ASTRA Graduate Program will begin in February 2011, providing 10 positions across production, promotion, programming and broadcasting, and will be hosted by, Premiere Media Group (FOX SPORTS), FOXTEL, BBC Worldwide Australia, Premium Movie Partnership (Showtime Movie Channels), TV1,Discovery Networks Asia Pacif ic, MTV Networks Austral ia and TVSN/Expo Channel.
“Subscription television is a dynamic and creative industry that will open up tremendous opportunities for talented young Austral ians as channels ramp up local content,” the Australian Subscription Television Association (ASTRA) Ms
Petra Buchanan commented. “The ASTRA Graduate Program underscores subscription television’s commi tment to investing in and nurturing local talent.”
These short-term positions wi ll provide invaluable experience in the Australian subscription television industry which is now in its 15th year and continues to grow at a healthy pace.
The program is the most ambitious to-date for AFTRS and is rare in the television industry in that it offers structured, short-term employment opportunities to recent graduates.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with ASTRA to provide this much needed opportunity for our graduates. I t is invaluable to the learning process to gain on the job experience and the innovative, fast-paced envi ronment of subscription television is an ideal training ground,” AFTRS chief executive Ms Sandra Levy said.
Chief operating off icer at TV1 Ms Danielle Rowland said, “We are very excited to not only nurture new talent but to have the opportunity to benef it f rom the skills and fresh ideas of an AFTRS Graduate. This is a wonderful initiative and just another example of how subscription television is contributing to the media landscape in Australia.”