A new initiative from the New Zealand Institute of Screen Innovation (NZISI) will see internships form the basis for new skills development in the screen industry.

“Internships are a road map to improving the skills required for the industry,” says Ruth McDavitt, Business Advisor for Grow Wellington who manages the intern programme.

Local, national and international internships are already underway.

A Wellington digital media student has gone to Hong Kong to learn and work with Cyberport and Shaw Studios as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding between Cyberport, iProA, Grow Wellington and the NZISI.

Kapiti company, InterGrid, developers of the world’s first Cloud Computing rendering solution, has just placed two computer science students from Hong Kong to help refresh their Green Button website.

According to Director Scott Houston, the two have adapted well to the Kiwi environment and are great ambassadors for Hong Kong, the University and Cyberport.

Also in the pipeline is a matching with students from Korea’s Gyeonggi Digital Contents Agency (GDCA). Five students are currently being selected to work in New Zealand companies by October. 

Ruth likens the Screen Industry intern programme to Wellington’s Summer of Code programme which helps innovative Wellington companies connect with smart ICT students.

“In both cases we aim to deliver a world-class, industry–led development programme for senior undergrads, bridging the gap between study and work.”

Laurence Greig, commenting on behalf of NZISI, says the programme is a key platform in the skills development initiatives being led by the Institute and will help ensure a sustainable future for the digital innovation industry.

“Students gain experience and connections to industry peers, companies get research projects off the ground and ultimately Wellington and New Zealand get promoted as a screen and digital innovation destination for students.”

For more on the NZISI click here.