And other courses like leadership and management
iBest institute of media, management and technical studies in Thimphu has trained more than 400 people and has provided consultancy services to 150 clients since it was established in 2014.
The institute is the only full-fledged one of its kind that provides consultancy services, multimedia solutions and training services in leadership, entrepreneurship, management, financial and media courses among others.
With support from the Loden Foundation and a loan of Nu 5mn, the institute started operations as a consultancy firm in 2014.
An educated farmer and now the CEO of the institute, Tharchen, said: “Now Bhutan is in need of skilled and creative individuals unlike the past. Thus we are providing training in animation to create a competent and skilled workforce needed for the country.”
The institute provides animation training ranging from one to six months and a year mostly to youth. The institute also trains youth who are on scholarship grant provided by the Department of Occupational Standard under the Ministry of Labor and Human Resources.
Forty people are employed in the institute, including 30 in the animation division who were recruited after the training.
Talking about the scope of animation artists in Bhutan, Tharchen said that with the advanced technology, there is a wide international market but one has to be good to garner it.
“There is a need for creative, passionate and highly driven people to work in the animation studios,” he added.
The animation training includes 60% practicals and the participants are groomed on personal leadership for the first two weeks alongside counseling.
Tharchen said that Bhutanese animation artists have high scope for employment in the field since there are less people pursuing it. “Bhutanese youth are generally creative. We just need the platform to guide and groom them constantly in a right way.”
Tharchen also mentioned that the Bhutanese are unwilling to take risks especially by joining the private sector, one of the reasons for the less turnover at the institute.
An observer said that the government needs to support the private sector initially by creating linkage with other countries to find market beyond Bhutan.
The institute counts its biggest achievement in being able to provide employment opportunities and a platform to aspiring youth.
The institute is currently working on an animation film which will be released this year.
Pema Choki from Thimphu
