OOONA EDU: (Em)Powering the Next Generation of Localization Talent

Andrew Garb     Andrew Garb is Global Account Manager at OOONA, where he leads engagement for several of the company’s offerings: EDU, the Testing and Training Platforms, AVTpro, OnStage as well as the InSync podcast. Drawing on his background in management and business development, Andrew is highly adept at bringing web-based software solutions to market – internally and externally. At OOONA, he also oversees the integration of the company’s internal project management software, ensuring operational alignment across teams. Previously the COO of Bgate Software Solutions, his role involved developing and implementing bespoke solutions for business clients. Today he applies the same strategic mindset to cultivate partnerships and drive growth and innovation across the media localization ecosystem. The media localization industry has been built on talent. From the early subtitlers working with VHS tapes and clunky software to skilled dubbing adapters and actors bringing authenticity and cultural nuance to global stories, people have always been at the heart of the craft. But the landscape has never stood still. The once a fragmented ecosystem of local studios turned into multinationals with centralized workflows. Then cloud technology enabled remote collaboration and global workforces. Today’s media localization pipelines involve advanced tools, metadata management, accessibility requirements, day and date releases, consistency across episodes, seasons and languages. It is the same creative talent that makes all this possible, though the environment they work in is completely different. Online tools, automated quality checks, language technologies, real-time collaboration, multiple file formats and strict compliance guidelines have become standard parts of the media localization workflow. Talent needs to continually adapt to new systems, tools and expectations, often taking on newly defined roles. The modern media localization expert sits in a dynamic environment where technology meets creativity. Success today requires flexibility, technical fluency, and a curiosity and openness to new practices. In short: continuous upskilling. The rise of online courses Upskilling comes in many forms, but shorter, online courses are probably the hallmark of our times. The sharp increase and popularity of online courses across all possible subjects stands to good reason given the many advantages they offer.

• Ease and flexibility: Online courses make training more accessible, without disrupting work or life commitments.
• Bite-sized learning: Shorter modules fit today’s fast-paced culture, making the learning progress more manageable.
• Self-paced study: Learners can move at their own rhythm, spending more time where needed, benefiting from utmost flexibility even in the busiest of lifestyles.

OOONA EDU: Designed for the media localization workforce To support the evolution in the media localization industry and the need for a steady supply of talent, OOONA, a leading platform of cloud-based localization tools, developed OOONA EDU, an educational platform designed by media industry experts for industry professionals. OOONA EDU courses are aligned with real-world workflows and integrated into the same user interface used by large and small media localization vendors, broadcasters and freelancers worldwide. Graduates gain not only theoretical knowledge but also hands-on practical experience that equips them with the confidence to go after new media localization roles or expand existing ones. OOONA EDU empowers talent at every level:

• Students entering the industry who need to learn the industry workflows, lingo and expectations, and stand out in a crowded marketplace certified for their job readiness.
• Translators transitioning into audiovisual localization, who want to expand their services and build new revenue streams.
• Experienced audiovisual professionals who want to diversify their skills and undertake more types of tasks within their vertical.
• Content creators who want to localize their own videos into other languages and make them accessible to all audiences.

Courses that reflect the industry’s needs OOONA EDU offers a growing portfolio of courses across key media localization sectors. All about subtitling

• Fundamental rules and best practices for subtitle timing, reading speed, layout and segmentation
• Translating constrained text across languages and working within templated subtitle workflows
• Understanding subtitle file formats, QC processes, and version control
• Subtitling technical videos
• Specialized mini courses on how to improve grammar for subtitling, or how to subtitle with sensitivity

Media accessibility

• Making content accessible for the d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Crafting clear, descriptive scripts for blind and low-vision viewers
• Exploring creative audio description in broadcast and museums
• Mini courses and downloadable resources on subtitling sounds and punctuation for subtitling

Industry and career development

• Free courses on OOONA’s state of-the-art localization management and production toolkit
• Content security and cyber security training
• Guidance on working for language service providers and building a successful career
• Introductory training for emerging roles such as AI speech editors

From foundational skills to advanced professional tasks, the platform supports lifelong learning and development, and directly connects learning to employable skill sets. OOONA Training Platform: Custom onboarding and training In addition to OOONA EDU, the OOONA Training Platform provides companies with a bespoke solution for onboarding and training new talent efficiently. Built on Moodle and fully integrated with OOONA’s suite of state-of-the-art tools, the platform allows companies to:

• Create their own custom courses tailored to their workflows and internal processes.
• Train teams efficiently, ensuring quality and adherence to company standards.
• Onboard new hires quickly, reducing the learning curve in complex subtitling and accessibility tasks.
• Track progress and performance, giving managers insights to team readiness and areas for improvement.
• Enable continuous learning for staff, with on-demand access to training materials.

Talent will always be the heart of media localization Technology can scale workflows and speed up delivery, but it cannot replace cultural understanding, creative nuance, or imagination and passion for storytelling. The future of creative sectors such as media localization depends on people – professionals who adapt and innovate, who confidently take up new tools and challenges, and remain competitive. Platforms like OOONA EDU and the OOONA Training Platform provide the education and hands-on practice professionals need to thrive in the media localization market. By investing in training and upskilling, the industry can ensure quality localization, quick onboarding, and a workforce prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow. The world is watching more stories than ever before. We at OOONA are proud to help make sure they are understood, accessible and truly global thanks to the talented people who bring them to life in every language.