Application Opens For Creative Skillset's Trainee Finder Programme

Creative Skillset has announced that applications for its Trainee Finder Programme is now open, with applications being accepted until 8 January, 2018.

The programme will select more than 150 aspiring entrants to the UK Film and High End TV sectors, across in-demand production roles, to become part of an industry-recognised cohort of trainees. The trainees then receive access to training placements on film and TV dramas being shot in the UK.

Recently, Trainee Finder has helped place trainees on feature films including Wonder Woman, Jurassic World, God's Own Country, Breathe and Lady Macbeth, and on TV dramas such as Peaky Blinders, Poldark, Game of Thrones, Outlander, Doctor Foster and No Offence.

Whilst on a production, trainees are supported by a supervisor within their department, learn and develop their craft through on-the-job training and gain important contacts to help them find future work. In additon to placements, trainees are required to attend courses to improve their employability, including Health and Safety, Finance for Freelancers, Branding and Networking, Industry Masterclasses and Carbon Literacy. They also receive one-to-one support from industry mentors.

Trainees receive an expenses allowance from their production, which is supported by industry via the Film Skills and High End TV Levy Funds managed by Creative Skillset.

The recruitment will cover trainees for the following production grades:

• Art Department
• Camera
• Costume and Wardrobe
• Edit
• Floor Runner (suitable for aspiring Assistant Directors)
• Hair and Makeup
• Locations
• Production Office (suitable for aspiring Production Managers)
• Sound
• Video Assist.

Applicants should have less than 12 months' paid experience in their chosen department and be able to provide two industry-relevant testimonials. Applicants with transferable skills from other creative sectors such as theatre, music, photography and commercial production, or from roles in other sectors such as business administration, event management, or salon styling for hair and make-up, are welcome to apply.

The programme is not open to students in full time education on 01 April, 2018.

Lisa Howe, Film Skills Manager, Creative Skillset, said: "Trainee Finder is a flagship industry programme for delivering fresh new talent, with much-needed skills, into UK film productions. With a high success rate, many of our alumni have gone on to garner enviable credits on high profile features. Through 2017 we have worked with industry to make Trainee Finder even better and are excited to be recruiting a new cohort of entrants for 2018."

Nicky Ball, High End TV Trainee Finder Senior Manager, Creative Skillset, added: "Trainee Finder is a great opportunity to support new talent committed to a career in TV drama and to address the skills shortage areas that our research has identified as the High End TV drama industry continues to experience increased commissions from broadcasters and VOD providers."

For further information and to apply, visit here.

(JP/LM)