ScreenSkills high-end TV schemes for new entrants
Please note that some of our training is currently being delivered differently or has been paused due to Covid-19. Find out more here or contact the high-end TV team.
High-end TV Trainee Finder
Trainee Finder is an entry-level placement scheme which matches trainees with high-end TV productions to offer new industry professionals proper on-the-job experience and to ensure a continued supply of talent.
To be eligible to receive trainees from Trainee Finder, productions must have agreed to contribute to the High-end TV Skills Fund. Taking trainees through Trainee Finder enables productions to claim back £300 per week of trainee’s salary for up to 40 weeks (ScreenSkills suggest that this support is spread across up to three trainees, i.e three x 13 weeks). This is a change from previous years, so in order to find out more about this new process please visit the support a trainee page to find details and FAQs.
Productions are sent CVs and the details of those trainees who have been accepted on the Trainee Finder scheme and confirm dates, role and pay with each trainee. Once these factors are agreed productions inform the ScreenSkills Trainee Finder team, who issue a contract.
The appointed supervisor and trainee will agree to a training plan which benchmarks the trainee's skills and learning objectives throughout their time on the production which at the end will show how far the trainee has progressed. Subsequent opportunities for the trainee on their next production will build on these achievements and address skills gaps and further required learning to help them develop in their chose trainee role.
For more details and to apply for a trainee, please contact Stephanie De La Paz.
First Break
First Break launched in 2019 with the ambition to de-mystify entry into the industry for individuals from under-represented backgrounds.
The First Break programme offers individuals a series of accessible non jargon-led industry information events, practical hands on bootcamps, paid work shadowing, one-to-one career development and bespoke support.
For productions that have contributed to the HETV Skills Fund, First Break can provide:
- Overall management for the programme run by a local project manager
- A ‘Want to work in TV?’ event giving up to 100 local people an opportunity to learn the basics about working in TV and hear first-hand from the production’s crew about their jobs and what they entail
- A Bootcamp for up to 50 selected participants about what to expect from a job in TV e.g. a typical day, schedule, basics of setiquette.
- Oversee all aspects of the shortlisting of participants for the work experience placement
- One-to-one pastoral care after the conclusion of the programme delivering CV clinics, networking support and signposting to further opportunities for the First Breakers as well as ongoing UK wide industry expertise to the participants and access to wider funded training delivered by ScreenSkills including signposting to mentoring programme and bursaries where appropriate.
If you are interested in partnering with ScreenSkills to run First Break on your production, please contact Vicki Ball vicki.ball@screenskills.com.
In-house Runner Programme
ScreenSkills’ support enabled high-end television production companies to hire a runner who hasn’t been in higher education or has not received a similar opportunity before in order to gain work experience.
The runners pool was made up of individuals from across the UK. Read more about how the programme helped Soph Webberley and Marcellino Hockner.