Sponsored content
ScreenSkills is forming collaborative partnerships within the nations and regions to provide tailored training and on-the-job experience
For more than a decade, the High-end TV Skills Fund (HETV) has been underpinned by a commitment to supporting the growth of a skilled and diverse workforce across the whole of the UK.
By working with industry and investing money from contributing productions into tailored training, the Fund has developed programmes designed to meet the needs of production crew working in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Senior HETV programmes manager Hannah Green says: “There is a huge production landscape across the Nations, with a history of making shows known the world over – from Derry Girls and Doctor Who to Blue Lights and Outlander. This is only made possible through a talented workforce, so it’s hugely important to the Fund to ensure that talent is supported through considered training, on-the-job learning and career progression opportunities.”
Through collaborative relationships with partnering organisations, training is shaped by those working at the heart of productions. Dedicated working groups for each of the Nations, comprised of senior members of the industry from the area, help design gradespecifi c programmes targeting areas of shortage. This ensures the Fund responds to industry need by investing in areas where the impact will be most keenly felt, with decisions being shaped by those directly involved.
A recent resulting training programme was a Steadicam initiative in Scotland, designed for camera department professionals to learn essential skills and foundations so that they are able to work effectively on any set. Specialisms like this are mirrored across training in a range of behind-the-camera departments.
Partnering with organisations allows the Fund to widen training opportunities, such as the script editor training developed with Bectu, which offers shadowing placements on high-end productions in Scotland.
Additionally, a post-production scheme was delivered by NFTS Scotland in partnership with Blazing Griffi n to equip those in senior production roles with a better understanding of the post-production and VFX processes.
In Wales, a developing HoD programme offers dynamic placements across departments, designed to build professional confi dence, broaden industry experience and develop essential skills.
Producer Adam Knopf, chair of the Wales Working Group, says: “Over the past few years, the group has commissioned bespoke training and developed schemes to support talent that have been both reactive and pre-emptive, which is a testament to having direct links to the local industry responding to current on-the-ground information. From the first two Wales-based intimacy co-ordinators to developing creative HoDs, none of this would be possible without the support ScreenSkills offers the nations and regions.”
“This process has given me the chance to learn without any pressure, to ask questions along the way and be involved in meetings and conversations I would not have been involved in before”
Sheena Kelly, assistant director
In Northern Ireland, there are tailored opportunities for grips, while a new 1st assistant director training programme offered experienced 2nd or 3rd ADs the chance to step up through an immersive course of online sessions, in-person training and guided one-to-one coaching sessions. At the end of the training, the Fund sourced 17-week placements for candidates.
Assistant director Sheena Kelly, who secured a placement on series two of C5 drama Ellis, says: “This process has given me the chance to learn without any pressure, to ask questions along the way and be involved in meetings and conversations I would not have been involved in before the prep process.”
A flexible bursary of £2,000 for mid-career freelancers is available.
By developing these programmes, the Fund creates opportunities that allow the UK’s workforce to thrive. It helps nurture talent, and grow the production landscape.
