WDA and NTUC link up freelancers to the right creative communities

The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) has partnered with National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) U Creative and e2i to unveil a suite of initiatives to help freelancers secure more job opportunities in creative industries (CI).This is part of the WDA’s effort to help enhance manpower competencies in the creative industry and provide opportunities for growth in the creative freelance sector. Some participating companies which have already jumped on the bandwagon include creative agencies Black Design, mm2 Entertainment and Verite Production.One of the key initiatives is the attach-and-train (ATP) programme. It attaches freelancers to a host company through a structured attachment to develop their skills while they build up their freelance portfolio. The programme provides support by helping to co-fund the costs required to bring the freelancer on board the team. Lasting from a range of one to six months, the attached freelancer will be given a chance to work on real-life projects while undergoing on the job training.The initiative is currently in its pilot stage and aims to benefit 20 freelancers over the next two years. Positions available include assistant directors, assistant producers and graphic designers.Appointed to facilitate the process is the Association of Independent Producers Singapore (AIPRO). It will act as the programme manager to help match freelancers to their host companies as well as monitor the former’s progress in the company.Jackson Tan, creative director at Black Design in an interview with Marketing said the program allows agencies to foster close working relationships with freelancers. This comes in handy during times where account support is required on an ad-hoc basis, and negates the need for the longer, more arduous process of hiring full time and undergoing the training.“Younger freelancers are also able to provide some insights on the growing younger demographic who are more social media and digitally savvy,” Tan saidTan added that having a common program for freelancers to participate in also allows for a more consistent quality of work or standard when it comes to the freelance industry, and this is beneficial to all companies in the long run.“Working in an agency also helps freelancers understand the workflow and the pace of work which is expected of them in the industry,” Tan said.Justin Chan, the graphic designer being attached to Black Design as a result of the program agrees, adding that the program helps freelancers gain a better understanding of what clients expect.“Working with an agency also provides more real-world perspective,” Chan said.To support the process, a series of subsidised workshops is also being conducted by appointed vendors to help equip freelancers with essential business and industry skills, as well as workshops to educate employers on how to mentor and support their development.Freelancers stand to gain from a series of short but intensive industry-relevant courses in disciplines such as animation, design, and film and TV. These courses will enable freelancers to deepen their skills and knowledge to enhance their employability.The courses encompass a Survival Bootcamp workshop series, entrepreneurship series and masterclasses and runs until March 2017.Training providers involved in the workshops include Methodology, CG Protégé Animation School, Creatives@Work, Bert Lighting House and Hyper Island."Digitisation and other changes in the creative media landscape present new challenges for our professionals to stay ahead of the curve and be globally competitive. NTUC U Creative community is pleased to scale-up our partnership with WDA to serve freelance professionals in the sector," Vivek Kumar, NTUC director for U Creative said."Freelancers will continue to be a key resource pool to tap on for the creative industries. The suit of interventions introduced by WDA aim to equip them with the relevant skills, so that they are able to adapt to evolving demands and support the growth of the industry," Ng Cher Pong, chief executive of WDA said.