We are pleased to announce that TCC founder and Joint MD Stephanie Asplin has been appointed to the role of deputy chair of Skillset’s Facilities Skills Council.

Having previously been on the Council’s board, Asplin will now be responsible for putting the council’s ideas and plans into practice and providing support to the chair, Terry Smith.

The Facilities Skills Council was set-up to advise and guide on all aspects of skills development for the facilities sector within the UK’s creative industries.

Facilities Skills Council chair Terry Smith said: “With the considerable challenge ahead for skills and training issues in our industry it was crucial to have someone as deputy who can bring something unique and a high energy to the role. Having had the privilege of working with Steph as a board member I have experienced at first hand her commitment, dynamism and ‘make it happen’ approach. I am very confident that the board will be stronger with her in this role.”

Stephanie Asplin said: “Our target for this year is to really start to accomplish what the council was originally convened to do – give something back to the creative industries. I believe that I can help to do that, and in turn, help to ensure that the people who join the sector from colleges and universities are properly prepared for a job in media.”

Asplin’s goals for 2011 include regular meetings with students at Skillset-accredited academies to offer advice on equipment and skills requirements for media. She also hopes to persuade more seats-of-learning to teach ‘soft skills’ as part of their media courses.

Saint John Walker, Skillset’s facilities sector manager, said: “Skillset’s work in facilities is guided by dedicated professionals who advise us on crucial training issues. Steph’s election to deputy chair of our Facilities Council gives new impetus to our mission to examine and build the best training solutions possible for this diverse and often unsung but vital industry. Skillset welcomes Steph and we look forward to working on skills issues such as apprenticeships, internships and better focused careers advice in order to advance the facilities sector”