Nottingham Media Academy, which aims to increase the skills and employability of creative students, has been awarded the accreditation by SKillset, the Sector Skills Council for the Creative Media Industries. The Academy is a collaboration between Nottingham Trent University, New College Nottingham, Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, and Broadway Cinema & Media Centre.

Skillset accreditation is only awarded to the institutions and organisations that have achieved an exceptionally high standard set out and evaluated by industry. Now one of 22 accredited academies in the country - and the only one in the East Midlands - the Nottingham Skillset Media Academy underwent a rigorous application and evaluation process and was assessed by industry evaluators from the education sector and the television, film, interactive media and post-production industries. The original selection was overseen by a high level panel chaired by Greg Dyke.

The accreditation now means that all related media courses offered by the partner institutions are industry recognised.

The Nottingham Skillset Media Academy is currently made up of over 3000 students from a wide variety of backgrounds. They have access to additional educational, vocational and professional expertise and can take advantage of various opportunities within the industry, attaining different skills at a range of levels.

Academy students are currently working with cutting edge technologies, such as an 'immersive dome' project - an image surrounds the viewer and puts them at the centre of th action - which crosses the boundaries of media production for film, documentary, visualisations and animation. Past projects which the Academy habe been involved with include the launch of New College Nottingham' radio station with Channel 4 newsreader, Jon Snow, and involvement in the National Videogame Archive and videogame festival, GameCity.

Academy courses available through the partner institutions range from BTEC to PhD and suit a variety of media roles, such as art directors and assistants, film and television editors, 3D animators, sound technicians, costume makers, games designers and radio and television producers, and broadcasters. The Academy also offers research, consultancy and continuing professional development.

Dr Christine White leads the Academy at Nottingham Trent University. She said: 'The Academy focuses on the development of employable and entrepreneurially-minded graduates and this accreditation confirms our commitment to high standards of teaching and learning and shows that we are a first class training provider.

'Skillset recognition also means that our students will be some of the first approached by media and cultural organisations for graduate and trainee programmes'.

Chief executive of Skillset, Dinah Caine, said: 'Skillset is very pleased to welcome the Nottingham Skillset Media Academy into our network of industry-accredited institutions. Students and employers can tak Nottingham's Media Academy status as assurance that this is a centre of excellence that provides the very highest standard of practical training'.

Skillset's aim is to ensure that the creative industries remain globally competitive through influencing and leading; developing skills, training and education policy; and through opening up the industries to the UK's pool of diverse talent.

For further information call 0115 848 2813 or email academy@ntu.ac.uk