Good news for the New Year in Scotland with the launch in January of a
new career development
A New Skills and Training Scheme, Stepping Up, creating 28 training placements in Scotland's Film and TV Industry, was launched in January.
The new Creative Skillset Drama Training Programme will create 20
Stepping Up drama placements in key craft and technical disciplines, nurturing
Scotland’s existing creative talent and helping them to ‘step-up’ to more
senior roles. It will build upon a scheme running since 2010, training
producers and script editors, and enable this valuable workforce development
work to be extended.
The aim of the programme is to build the number and quality of film and
TV crews in Scotland to support production and address skills gaps. As well as
the 20 Stepping Up drama placements, the new funding will create eight Stepping
Up factual placements delivered through the BBC and new traineeships for Script
Editors and Producers.
Alasdair Smith, Scotland Director, Creative Skillset, said: “It is vital
to support the development of producers, executives and executive producers now
in order to meet the expected growth in Scottish comedy and drama production.
We have already seen major growth in this industry, which has created an urgent
need for skilled TV drama production staff. This programme will create an
environment where the next generation of Scotland’s creative leaders can
flourish, attracting top class production talent and giving them real and
valuable on-the-job training to address their skills gaps”.
Funded by a partnership of Creative Skillset, BBC Scotland, Creative
Scotland, BECTU, Skills Development Scotland and the European Social Fund, via
Scotland’s Trade Union Centre (STUC), the programme offers new training opportunities
for freelancers in TV & film in Scotland. Financial support has also been
received from a number of Scottish-based independent production companies.
Attendees at the launch, held at Glasgow-based BBC Scotland, heard from
Lizzie Gray who successfully completed the trainee producer scheme in 2010 and
has since gone on to become producer for the hugely successful drama, Waterloo
Road.
Lizzie said: “The Producer Training and the Producer Internship have
been invaluable in my career progression. Through both I have filled knowledge
and skills gaps, gained practical experience and made key industry contacts”.
Applications are now open:
Applications will be invited for up to two Script Editor trainees and
four Trainee Producers later in 2013.
Caroline Parkinson, Director, Creative Scotland, said: “We are delighted
to have been involved in developing this programme in conjunction with the TV
Working Group and with our partners. This will support professional freelancers
to enhance their range of skills, to enable them to progress in their careers
and to bring their valuable talent to the independent production industry and
broadcasters”.
Gordon McGuiness, Head of Industry and Enterprise at Skills Development
Scotland, added: “This exciting programme will help provide opportunities and
enhance skills to support Scotland’s vibrant, competitive and sustainable
screen industry. It will foster Scottish talent and we are pleased to offer our
support”.
Alison Goring, Drama Talent Manager , BECTU, said "Stepping Up is a
really exciting and innovative model of training for craft, technical and
production crew who are already established and experienced in the film &
TV industry. We hope that through this opportunity people will be able to have
some time and space to gain the skills and experience they need to move up to
the next level, supported by industry mentors. Scotland already has a very
strong talent base and we want to ensure a vibrant future for that talent and
the creative screen industries in Scotland”.
Further information including the application guidelines and application
form will be available from the BECTU website READ MORE
