The advent of cloud computing technologies means the broadcast industry is currently undergoing a seismic shift. This transition from traditional hardware-based setups to complex IT-centric systems is fundamentally altering the landscape of media production. Industry veterans Stuart Ray, the Head of Skills and Development at The IABM and Damon Neale, the Managing Director of consulting firm Mediate Solutions highlight the urgent need for a revamped approach to training and development within the industry.
The Growing Demand for Hybrid Skills
Both Ray and Neale identify a growing need for professionals who are well-versed in traditional broadcast technology as well as contemporary IT practices, with a special emphasis on cloud computing and IP workflows. According to Ray, the IABM’s courses dealing with IP, Video over IP, and IP and File-Based Workflows are the organisation’s most popular. He believes that this reflects a significant pivot towards IT-centric capabilities within the broadcast sector.
“It’s important to remember that the fundamentals of broadcast tech haven’t really changed - it’s still ultimately a process of transporting a signal from A to B,” - Stuart Ray, Head of Skills and Development, The IABM
Neale emphasises the scarcity of cross-functional expertise in the industry, “A lot of the public cloud providers are willing to provide solution architects to help design how to best deploy in their cloud,” he says. “They are often absolutely fantastic. The only problem is, they might not understand our industry. It’s incredibly difficult to find people that have a broadcast background and truly understand the cloud because there are such deep skill sets, knowledge, and experience required in each of them,” he says, highlighting the depth of the challenge...
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