Eight new trainees begin their TV journey on Pact diversity scheme

This month, the 7th edition of the Pact Indie Diversity Training Scheme (IDTS) gets underway in London, with another intake of bright, diverse trainees starting six-month placements with some of London’s top independent production companies.

Eight trainees in total will take up positions with Electric Robin (part of Endemol Shine UK), Fremantle, RDF Television, Hat Trick Productions, Lime Pictures and Objective Media Group (both part of All3Media), Twenty Twenty and Wall to Wall (both part of Warner Bros.).

The Pact IDTS was initiated to combat the barriers to entry often faced by individuals from diverse backgrounds, but crucially it places equal importance on equipping participants with the tools and know-how to sustain a career in the sector beyond that all-important first job. As well as undertaking the six-month paid placement with an indie, allowing them to develop their talents in a thriving business environment, each participant is also partnered with a senior-level mentor from within their company, and receives bespoke training from the ScreenSkills Indie Training Fund in areas such as copyright, storytelling and camera operating.

This year, for the first time, trainees will also benefit from having a complimentary subscription to Broadcast magazine, helping them to keep abreast of the latest industry news and developments.

Trainee Fetin Abu Sardaneh, who is doing a placement with RDF Television, commented on starting the Scheme: “I am feeling excited and optimistic about the next six months of being a part of the Pact trainee scheme, and hope that this kickstarts a fulfilling career in TV for me.”

Sammy Gecsoyler, who will spend six months with Hat Trick Productions, said: "I am eager to get involved in a range of roles/genres while at Hat Trick... I'm hoping this scheme will help me along my journey towards a long, fruitful career in TV."

Emily Gale, Head of Talent at participating indie Fremantle, commented: “We are delighted to continue to be part of and support the Pact Indie Diversity Training Scheme… We have really enjoyed working with the other production companies supporting the scheme and it continues to be an incredibly collaborative relationship.” She added: “Our objective is to give the trainees the best possible start in their TV careers.”

To date, 77% of trainees who have taken part in the Pact IDTS are still working in TV, and they have gone on to cut their teeth on a range of renowned and award-winning programmes including The X Factor, Gogglebox, The Crown, Dragons’ Den, Hospital, Room 101 and The Voice. The roles that alumni have gone on to fulfil range from runners, researchers and office assistants, through to loggers, archive researchers, vision mixers, co-producers, shooting PDs and writers.

Pact’s Head of Diversity, Anjani Patel commented: “Although our trainees are on the scheme for six months, and we want them to have a brilliant experience, it’s more about what happens after that. We want our alumni to stay on in the industry, and fulfil the vast potential that they all have, because it’s not only good for them it’s good for our industry. I can’t wait to see what this year’s trainees achieve on the scheme and beyond.”

This year's trainees are:

Ruby Rookes - All3media, Lime Pictures
 
Roiesha Boothe - All3media, Optomen
 
Tomisin Joseph - EndemolShine, Electric Robin
 
Tyrone Paul - Fremantle
 
Sammy Gecsoyler - Hat Trick Productions
 
Fetin Abu Sardaneh - RDF Television
 
Darcy Dear - Warner Bros., Wall to Wall
 
Michael Okanlawon - Warner Bros., Twenty Twenty

Find out more about the Pact Indie Diversity Training Scheme and our other diversity and inclusion work here.