Creative Skillset Announces £600k Investment In Film Skills Programmes

Creative Skillset has pledged £600,000 towards film training programmes aimed at tackling skills shortages identified by the industry.

The industry-led skills body for UK screen is asking training providers to deliver programmes in four key areas, from new entrants and early stage career to management and executives.

Trainers in all programmes will be asked to meet targets for improving inclusion in the industry in the participants they recruit as part of a concerted effort to address low numbers of women and people from black, Asian or minority ethnic or disadvantaged backgrounds in many jobs and grades.

The skills drive is being supported by a mix of National Lottery funds awarded to Creative Skillset by the British Film Institute to deliver its Future Film Skills programme and receipts from films that have contributed to the Film Skills Investment Fund, commonly known as the film levy.

Gareth Ellis-Unwin, Head of Film at Creative Skillset, said: "Having had a number of conversations about significant productions looking to shoot in the UK, it is clear that existing skills shortages are only likely to become even more pressing.

"This is a round of investment responding to industry needs. It is not a silver bullet to the skills gaps or to longstanding problems such as a lack of diversity but will make significant strides in addressing them."

The investment follows Creative Skillset's inaugural CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Congress that took place in Salford at the end of July and brought together training providers from across the screen landscape for the first time to address training needs.

Creative Skillset is currently preparing to launch a Skills Forecasting Service aimed at gathering data to offer a more forensic understanding of industry demands in future. It is also in talks with cities in the nations and regions to target modest investment to support the development of centres of excellence.

For this funding round, Creative Skillset has invited training providers to design, manage, market, recruit and deliver inclusive training programmes in four areas:
• New entrants.
• People returning to work after a career break or transferring from another sector or industry.
• Film professionals in priority areas such as art directing, locations, accountancy and VFX.
• Developing management and film executives.

The deadline for applications is 28 September and successful bids will be announced in October. All programmes must be delivered by 08 March, 2019. More details can be found at creativeskillset.org/filmskillsfunding.