Employees and freelancers working in the UK TV industry are eligible for a selection of subsidised online courses designed to provide them with the latest VFX skills, depending on their experience and stage of their career.

Recent Skillset research has pinpointed visual effects as a key skills shortage area in the UK. Visual effects companies are recruiting from all over the world to meet that demand for specialised technical roles, and VFX has been placed on the Home Office skills shortage list.

The VFX bursary provides TV professionals with a subsidy of between 80 per cent (freelancers) to 50 per cent (employees) of the full cost of four visual effects courses which will be running until 30th September 2010: Maya Core, Nuke for 3D Artists, Zbrush Foundation and Advanced Lighting and Shading.

Skillset’s chief executive, Dinah Caine, said: “Visual effects are a rapidly growing field in the UK TV industry, and it is crucial that our TV professionals are given the opportunity to develop their skills to keep up with this rising demand. This scheme will keep up-skilling the industry’s professionals and allow the UK to continue competing on a global level.”

Dominic Davenport, CEO at Escape Studios, said: “VFX skills are sought after in the TV industry and can help professionals develop their career further. We’re pleased to be able to offer subsidised online training through Skillset to help those who might not be in a position to expand their abilities in this field. As an industry, it’s important that we help foster the talent that’s already out there for the UK to remain a world leader in the VFX industry.”

The range of courses available is designed to match varying skill levels and experience, with courses offering grounding in Maya 3D software for those who may have been previously working in 2D design to an Advanced Lighting & Shading course for more experienced CAD artists and designers. For further details on the courses and their contents visit www.escapestudios.com.

The funding for VFX Bursaries comes from the Skillset TV Freelance Fund. To be eligible for the bursary, applicants should demonstrate professional experience in the TV industry and express how the training will benefit their future career. For full details on eligibility please see www.skillset.org/vfxbursaries.