Representatives of creative industries in the Highlands and Islands are gathering on Skye today [Tuesday 28 January] to learn about a new initiative which aims to support budding talent in the region.

Broadcaster Channel 4 has joined forces with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Enterprise to launch 'Ideasfactory Scotland' - a £2 million project which will combine an informative website with a series of events designed to identify and develop creative talent.

Tuesday's seminar, at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, brings together more than 40 delegates from HIE, local enterprise companies, Careers Scotland, UHI Millennium Institute and a range of creative businesses, to learn more about the project and identify potential business and learning opportunities.

The enterprise networks aim to capitalise on Channel 4's reputation as an innovative  broadcaster and to tap into the younger market which the creative industries - such as the music business, art, literature, graphic design, theatre and TV and film production - tend to attract.

Targeting 16-34 year-olds, Ideasfactory Scotland links to a UK-wide Channel 4 project and will be up and running by April this year.  The Scottish project will set up its own website for online support and deliver a series of industry-related workshops to be organised across the country over the next two years.

Two national co-ordinators are currently being recruited, one to be based in Channel 4's offices in Glasgow and the other in the HIE area.

A national steering committee for Ideasfactory Scotland, which will lead the initiative, is to be headed by Channel 4's director of nations and regions, Stuart Cosgrove.

"Scotland has taken a lead role in supporting creative industries," said Stuart. "Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and the Highlands and Islands already have clusters of creative talent, which need to be developed.

"We're delighted that the LECs representing these key areas are backing this unique initiative so enthusiastically to help inspire and guide this talent. There are so many disparate development programmes operating through different organisations but this package of activities brings so many elements together under one umbrella, which can only improve their effectiveness."

Iain Hamilton, senior creative industries manager with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said he was confident that Ideasfactory Scotland would help boost and already significant business sector.

"This project will help strengthen an important sector of Scotland's economy as well as offering vital support to people who are involved in the creative industries," Iain said. 

"In the Highlands and Islands there is already a very good track record of collaboration between the different branches of the creative industries and with the enterprise network.

"Advanced technology means that a creative business can be run successfully from a rural location, but without an adequate support network, it's not surprising if people can sometimes feel isolated.

"With the participation of Channel 4, Ideasfactory will not only enable us to keep up the present momentum in this field, it will also offer a new way to support and develop creative talent in the Highlands and Islands."

More information on the UK-wide initiative is available on the internet at www.channel4.com/ideasfactory