A ScreenSkills pilot programme has shown promising results in the film and TV production sector.
- The programme, supported by major industry players, aimed to explore agency-based apprenticeships.
- An impressive 76% of participants secured employment after completing the programme.
- Feedback indicates significant personal and professional development among apprentices.
- The initiative highlights both successes and areas for improvement in apprenticeship models.
Between February 2022 and January 2024, the ScreenSkills flexi-job apprenticeship agency (FJAA) pilot programme ran with the backing of industry leaders such as Prime Video, Sky, Banijay, Lime Pictures, and Fremantle. This initiative, initially co-funded by the Department for Education, aimed to evaluate the viability of an agency-based apprenticeship in the project-driven film and TV production sectors. The pilot concluded with 76% of participating apprentices securing further employment, confirming the model’s potential effectiveness as a career pathway.
The experience gained by apprentices during their training was significant, allowing them to work across various companies and productions. The successful completion rate of End Point Assessments was 85%, indicating the rigorous and effective nature of the programme. Subsequently, apprentices went on to secure employment with 19 production companies, including well-known names such as Hat Trick, ITN, and Studio Lambert. The broad scope of training opened up new professional avenues for many participants.
Feedback from the apprentices themselves was overwhelmingly positive, with 90% reporting improved communication skills and 85% feeling better prepared for employment. The programme was also praised for boosting confidence and fostering team-working abilities, demonstrating its comprehensive approach to skill enhancement. As Bella Lambourne from Banijay UK highlighted, the apprenticeships were instrumental in upskilling participants in crucial areas like production accounting and management.
Despite these successes, the pilot illuminated several areas needing adjustment. The agency route, while beneficial, proved to be costly, requiring financial input for apprentice wages during downtime, recruitment efforts, and coordination. Additionally, the need for enhancing apprenticeship standards and End Point Assessment processes was identified to ensure relevance and efficacy of training.
ScreenSkills continues to advocate for necessary changes, supporting the government’s proposals for a Growth and Skills Levy. This would grant companies more flexibility in investing in training and address skill shortages while promoting diversity. Laura Mansfield, CEO of ScreenSkills, concluded that apprenticeships could significantly boost workforce diversity, introducing fresh perspectives to the film and TV industries.
The pilot programme’s success underlines the transformative role of apprenticeships in the creative sector, while also pinpointing necessary areas for refinement.
