Creative Times

Skillset is supporting two major industry-approved programmes to equip new entrants to the television industry with the technical, entrepreneurial and creative skills they need to break into the business at this time of significant change.

Skillset’s Television Freelance Fund – made up of funding from many of the UK’s major broadcasters and producers – has awarded grants to a partnership between Top TV Academy and Middlesex University, a Skillset Media Academy, and also to leading training provider Crossover to run practical and innovative programmes to train a new generation of TV professionals.

Kate O’Connor, Skillset’s executive director of policy and development, said: “With the global financial crisis and the emergence of digital technologies placing unprecedented strain on the television industry, it has become harder than ever for new entrants to get their break in the business.

“By providing targeted training that will address the most pressing skills gaps in the market, these two new programmes will give their trainees the best chance of securing employment, as well also serving a clear need within the industry.”

Middlesex University and Top TV Academy’s Cascade programme will provide ten trainees with a six-month paid job placement in the television industry. A further 30 applicants will be given free access to industry mentors and job training over a six-month period.

Crossover is giving 38 graduates from across England, Scotland and Wales the chance to take part in a free seven-month programme. This will include golden tickets to Sheffield Doc/Fest, and two weeks of paid industry work experience. They will also work on their own production – designing a multi-platform television project, developing it with careful mentoring over an extended period and pitching it to real-life television commissioners.

Applications for the Crossover programme close on October 16 and the cut-off date for Cascade’s applications is October 19.

Applicants for Middlesex University and Top TV Academy’s Cascade programme should visit http://www.mdx.ac.uk/cascade/.

Applicants for the Crossover programme from Northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland should contact the Edinburgh Skillset Screen and Media Academy, info@screenacademyscotland.ac.uk, or training@screenacademywales.org if they are from Wales, or the Bournemouth Skillset Screen and Media Academy – ccooper@bournemouth.ac.uk – if they are from England.