INVESTMENT IN TRAINEES
The level of inward investment attracted by the UK film industry is a testament to its high standing internationally. Film production from overseas remains the largest employer of UK film crew, with £338m, or 58% of all production investment coming from overseas in 2008 and £523m, or 62%, in 2007.
A Bigger Future 2 seeks to maintain and increase these high levels of inward investment, and has identified strategies for achieving this goal, one of which is supporting high quality trainees entering the industry, particularly in areas with strong prospects for future growth.
Skillset’s research has identified a number of priority grades where there is a shortage of high quality trainees entering the industry. Skillset strengthens the supply of high quality trainees through a series of apprenticeships and new entrants courses to address any potential capacity issues.
New entrants funding programmes and training
The new Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy launched in March 2011 and is largely funded by the Skills Investment Fund (SIF), the training levy on productions wholly or partially filmed in the UK. The Academy provides skills development, training and career opportunities for people in the film craft and technical departments, including Apprencticeships and professional qualifications. Producers who contribute to the SIF can apply for subsidised trainees on their productions through the Film Craft and Technical Trainee Placement Scheme, gaining a direct, industry-wide benefit from their investment in the SIF.
Skillset has also awarded funding to organisations to run trainee schemes for people entering the industry:
New Entrants VFX Programme
A new higher education VFX course accreditation scheme has also launched to ensure a better supply of talented industry- ready VFX graduates:
- VFX 3D Content Creation (Teeside University)
- VFX Course Enhancement (University of Hertfordshire, University of Glamorgan, Swansea Met Unvi, University of Falmouth, Ravensbourne, University of Bradford, Northern Ireland Skillset Screen Academy, University of Teeside)
- VFX Learning in Europe Travel Bursaries (University of Glamorgan, Swansea Met University, University College Falmouth, Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, Bournemouth University)
- VFX Masterclass programme (Ian Murphy Visual Effects Ltd)
- VFX Online Coaching (CGCoach)
- VFX Training for the Trainers (Sphere VFX Ltd)
Impact of hard drive print technology
- DCinema Exhibition &Distribution for New Entrants (Four Corners)
Production department priorities
Assistant Production Accountant Training Scheme (The Production Guild)
