In the face of unprecedented demand, massive growth in production and a drive to seize the opportunities created by the film and TV boom, we’re calling for greater collaboration in finding and nurturing new talent, upskilling existing professionals and pushing for genuine diversity and inclusivity in our workforce.
Richard Johnston, Chair of ScreenSkills and former Chief Executive of Endemol Shine UK, said: “I know from experience the challenges facing the screen industries in attracting and retaining a skilled and inclusive workforce. I also know that there is no silver bullet. But I do know that we in the industry have to play our part in all the ways we can.
“There needs to be greater investment in skills and training if the UK is to maintain its global reputation in screen. Other countries are investing in training and upskilling their workforces in the creative industries and we cannot afford to rest on our historic reputation.”
Seetha Kumar, Chief Executive of ScreenSkills, said: “We are asking our colleagues in the industry to help us move skills up the agenda and secure the talent pipeline. We need to invest more, in time and in money, if we are going to seize the huge opportunities for growth.
So how can you help?
ScreenSkills has put together a Giving Back menu for screen professionals. This is a list of the many different ways that you can lend your time, expertise or insight towards improving the whole industry, for everyone. Depending on your expertise or availability, you could do one or many of these things - or get in touch if there's another way you feel you could get involved.
Become an industry mentor
The ScreenSkills Mentoring Network, launched in 2019, aims to connect 3,000 mentoring pairs by 2022. You don’t need to be an expert to become a mentor and volunteering can be a positive development opportunity.
Offer training opportunities
There are several ways you can offer real-world training opportunities to new entrants. Whether you are interested in giving placements to new recruits through the Trainee Finder scheme, taking on apprentices or offering other vocational training opportunities such as through the HETV Make a Move programme, ScreenSkills can support and advise you.
Host a careers event
Welcome potential new entrants to screen by hosting one of our Open Doors careers events and giving newcomers their first opportunity to hear from those within the industry and network with each other.
Inspire future talent
Give careers talks at schools, colleges or universities, including through our partners Speakers for Schools, Inspiring the Future, and Into Film. Get in touch with careers@screenskills.com to find out more.
Help make sure students and apprentices receive top quality training
Act as an industry assessor for ScreenSkills Select, the ScreenSkills programme that endorses further and higher education courses identified by practitioners as genuinely useful and industry-relevant. Give feedback on National Occupational Standards that inform the development of qualifications and apprenticeships in the screen industries.
Give insight into skills gaps
Give feedback on key industry challenges and skills shortages to our Skills Forecasting Service by completing our regular forecasting surveys.
Provide in-kind support
Offer crew, equipment, editing facilities or more to help bring key initiatives, such as the Creative Careers Programme or our mentoring network, to life.
Pay into the Skills Funds
Commonly known as the levies, the Skills Funds support skills and training programmes managed by ScreenSkills in areas of skills shortages identified by industry and to improve inclusion within the industry. Without these funds, we would not be able to invest in addressing the skills needs of our industry.
Champion the work of ScreenSkills and the importance of skills and training
Help us by sharing all or any of these initiatives across your own networks and social media and lending your voice to our efforts to improve and safeguard the future UK screen industry. If you have benefited from training or other support, please share your story. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram and sign-up to our newsletters to stay up-to-date with our latest activity.
For more details or to register your interest in any of these areas, please email info@screenskills.com.
