The i4 Skills The University of Central England Birmingham Technology Innovation Centre (tic) runs i4 Skills which is aimed at improving skills of the West Midlands Screen and Sound-Based Creative professionals to ensure that we have a workforce that is of world-class standard.

The i4 Skills project offers a variety of short courses in Technology, Management or Enterprise skills. These courses have been designed to further your skills in interactive screen based media business. You will have access to cutting edge kit and the experts behind it to really make a difference for you.

Courses help create Sound Media Businesses Demand for management knowledge to help establish businesses across the creative sector, successfully and sustainably, has led the University of Central England Birmingham Technology Innovation Centre (tic) to run courses to help them develop key skills.

Contrasting with recent erosion in the West Midlands manufacturing-base, the Region's creative industries are growing rapidly. However, there is concern to establish soundly-based operators in the fledgling creative sectors.

To provide entrepreneurs with skills-training to develop relevant business plans and processes, tic has developed two courses. These were run recently at tic's Millennium Point campus, during Autumn 2006. They were free-of-charge to eligible businesses and individuals, through tic's i4 scheme - jointly operated with Wolverhampton-based Light House.

The 'Start with Success' course catered for new start-ups, whilst 'Market Maker Skills' looked at how established SMEs and freelancers can extend their market share. Additional sessions were offered with authoritative figures such as Lee Thomas of Screen WM, BBC's Janice Long and leading accountants and lawyers from the creative and media fields. tic has now become the hub for West Midlands creative industries through its monthly major Creative Networks meetings; its role as the region's authorised Apple Training Centre; its Cinematic Film Festival and other events such as Creative Week.

tic's Assistant iMedia Centre Manager responsible for i4 projects, Dave Taylor, says: "Our role is to help the sustainable growth of creative businesses with the potential to become substantial West Midlands employers and wealth creators. We want the region to grow its reputation for highly professional modern media industries."

Successful graduates from the i4 courses will also be offered practical help through equipment loan, and other services, valued up to £2,500, based on tic's Media Vault resources. Anyone interested in future tic 'Start with Success' or 'Market Maker Skills' courses should phone 0121 331 6400 or email course.enquiries@tic.ac.uk.
Find out more about i4 on their website www.i4skillsonline.com
Questions? Contact us to find out more.

THIS PROJECT IS BEING PART-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY European Regional Development Fund