ScreenSkills Launches Animation Trainee Finder

ScreenSkills has launched Animation Trainee Finder.

It is an entry-level paid placement programme, introduced by the ScreenSkills Animation Skills Council with the support of UK animation productions that have paid into the Animation Skills Fund.

Open to candidates who are 18+ with up to 12 month'' paid experience in animation, Animation Trainee Finder will provide 20 trainees with up to three placements on 2D, 3D and stop motion productions across the UK to gain a variety of experience over the course of a year.

Trainees will also receive an industry mentor, networking opportunities and insight into the industry through an intensive weekend bootcamp.

There will be a particular focus on roles identified as shortage areas - animator, storyboard artist, rigger and production coordinator - aimed at ensuring a continued supply of talent capable of making world-class creative animated content.

Applications will be particularly welcomed from Black, Asian or minority ethnic candidates because they are currently under-represented in the animation workforce.

This initiative will extend the Trainee Finder programme, which has run successfully for some years in high-end and children's television and film, to animation. A previous version of Animation Trainee Finder was delivered by Creative Skillset, the skills body that preceded ScreenSkills.

All Animation Trainee Finder placements are subsidised by the Animation Skills Fund for the participating production company.

Tom Box, Animation Skills Council Chair and Co-founder and Managing Director of Blue Zoo Animation Studio, said: "Trainee Finder will give successful candidates who have already embarked on their animation career the opportunity to gain further experience with different companies on a ScreenSkills programme that has already built a strong reputation with other parts of the industry.

"It is one of a range of ways in which the animation sector is working to open up the sector to a greater diversity of talent and address skills shortages."

A new junior animator apprenticeship standard, coordinated by ScreenSkills with support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery funds, will begin recruitment in October for candidates with no relevant experience or qualifications in animation. Apprenticeships would start in the new year.

www.screenskills.com