CYBERJAYA: CASH-STRAPPED Malaysians who are keen to expand their skills in the creative industry can now apply through a programme under the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC).
Through its Creative Industry Lifelong Learning (CILL) programme, students and multimedia practitioners can opt to enhance their knowledge through three schemes -- up-skilling and re-skilling, attachment and scholastic.
MDeC creative multimedia vice-president and director Kamil Othman said since CILL was introduced last November, the programme has received more than 500 applicants, of whom 25 have been chosen.
The up-skilling and re-skilling scheme is for those with a minimum of two years experience in the creative multimedia industry wishing to boost their capabilities at any institution.
The attachment scheme is for those with at least six years' experience in the creative sector who want to improve their skills by learning from local or international companies.
The scholastic scheme is for those who want to pursue full-time undergraduate or postgraduate studies related to the creative industry at either local or foreign institutions.
Fields of studies for the three schemes include producing and directing, animation, games development, scripting and screen adaptation and sound effects.
To qualify for the CILL programme, applicants must be Malaysians above 18 years old and had secured a place in training institutes, hosting companies or institutions of higher learning.
Successful applicants will see MDeC covering their tuition fees and air fares. They are required to come back and work for three years after completing their courses.
Kamil said the CILL programme was initiated to boost talent and know-how in the creative sector.
He said with Pinewood Studios poised to open in Iskandar Malaysia soon, there would be a huge demand for creative industry people.
"The entire programme was devised because of the importance placed by the government on the creative industry.
"The only way for us to become globalised is to have skilled human resources." he said during an interview at MDeC.
Kamil said MDeC wanted to encourage the younger generation to take up creative-related courses, in line with the move by the government in identifying creative industry as one of the country's growth engine.
"Many parents are reluctant to allow their children to take up such courses as they think it is a waste of time.
"We want to change this perception as there is a vast future in this field."
In citing an example of 3D animation, Kamil said it could be used in virtually any industry, from automobile design to fashion to town planning.
Applications for the programme are open throughout the year.