The ABC as a training resource

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Has anyone estimated the value of the ABC as an on-going training resource, both to the economy in general, and the Australian media in particular? It would be interesting to list the "alumni" of the ABC, past and present, who have gone on to make significant contributions to other Australian enterprises. How many people in all aspects of the media got their first "breaks" with the ABC? What is or has been their worth to the economy?

Who or what will take over and fund the ABC's role in nurturing new talent if it's government funding continues to be cut?

Has this aspect been considered by the government?

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2000

Answers

The ABC has cut down considerably on its training over a number of years. In the 1970's and 1980's there were intakes of trainees for radio and television in each state of Australia. They had an intake of trainee technicians and trainee operators each year. In addition there were cadet journalists and specialist trainees assigned to program departments such as Talks and Rural. The corridors rang to the sound of happy young people. I know I was one of them - a radio operations officer. These trainees were a mixture of ex high school and ex university graduates. I doubt the ABC employs many people under 25 these days. I think the government owes the youth of Australia far more training positions than it does now. It has been a serious mistake to let this waste away.

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2000

I was the head of training at the ABC until September, 1999, when I left at the end of a contract. The ABC's training department then numbered 30. It provided training across many areas, to radio, TV and online staff. You may read about what has happened to ABC Training in the past year in the Senate Estimates discussions (led by Senator George Campbell). Funding has been cut, and many staff have either left, taken redundancy, or been told their jobs will not be continued. ABC Training has won many national and international awards, and its staff have trained in the ABC in Australia, and in broadcasters and other organisations in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Africa, Kenya, New Zealand, PNG, Jordan, Costa Rica, Fiji, the Solomons, Samoa, among other places. It has also provided training to other commercial and community broadcasters in Australia - Channels 7, 9, 10 and SBS among them. ABC-trained staff have also taken their skills to other broadcasters.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2000

It would be interesting to compile a database of all those currently employed by or in the commercial media who got the start to their careers courtesy of the ABC - not only via formal training, but also through the opportunities provided for new talent.

It would be even more interesting if each of those individuals were to write to the Government in support of the ABC.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2000


...and not just the artists themselves, but Stokes, Packer and friends. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain from a strong ABC. Where are they?

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2000

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