Career Development & Training
Introduction
The High-end TV (HETV) industry is incredibly difficult to get into if you don’t already have an in. However, there are very few positions where any formal qualifications are required. Once you are 'in', the chances of career progression into a more senior role is, with the right attitude, highly likely. However, the one thing that has come back time and time again is that, until recent years, there has been very little formal training or guidelines for those new entrants (outside of mentoring), or those who are moving into more senior management positions.
One step to create a basic standard of training in the industry is through the ScreenSkills Training Passport, which could help to create a basic standard of training.
Is there a world where Band 3 and 4 productions have a minimum number of trainees on each show?
Historically in HETV production, if you were good at your job, you got an opportunity to step up, you work extra hard to learn that new role while in the position, you prove yourself in that role and then potentially the opportunity to step up would be presented again. However, it is now recognised that on this path it would be of great benefit for individuals, productions and the culture of the industry for those stepping up to gain skills and training related to management, HR, Health and Safety, budgeting, supporting teams, managing difficult conversations, etc.
With this increased training in mind, a consideration for some productions may be that of a Training Manager and/or Coordinator. This would be for a number of reasons, including:
- to facilitate and support those in trainee positions
- to create possibilities for all crew to advance skills through training
- to hire an individual/s in a role dedicated to supporting trainees, work experience, training and development of crew. This creates a much more meaningful and supportive development process as opposed to it being another requirement for the Line Producer, HODs and Production department to navigate and manage.
Even if this position was employed on a part-time basis, or maybe even merged with another part-time role (Wellbeing Facilitator, Production Role or HR), it is something that can go a long way to not only creating more possibilities for crew, but also providing a better feedback loop for the training providers from the trainees, so the services on offer can grow and adapt to the requirements of physical production. This also allows the potential, as has been demonstrated on productions, to run full work experience programmes where the process is formalised and managed.
Below are details of policies, training and initiatives that aim to support and potentially add to the actions productions are already taking around career development and trainees. There is also a directory of organisations who provide a platform to connect prospective employers and employees in the Bibliography and also the Directory section of this resource.
Policies, Guidelines & Best Practice
| Policy, Guidelines & Best Practice | Description |
|---|---|
| Guidelines on Training | Guidelines detailing the training courses crew members should complete before employment, as well as the training provided by the production to improve the skills of HODs and supervisors. |
| Work Experience Guidelines |
•Training plan •Active targeted recruitment •Opportunities for experience in other departments •Discuss who opportunities are provided to (not friends and family of those on the specific production) Useful resource for all trainees/work experience – Script to Screen e-learning series of 12 modules which includes useful glossary of terms Onboarding e-learning for managers working with trainees via ScreenSkills, which includes a handy checklist and development plan template. |
Training
The below listings are included in all the totals of the Example Tables of Indicative Allowances:
| Training | Description | Band 1 | Band 2 | Band 3 | Band 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
HETV Skills Fund Leadership and Management Training. Essentials Training - bespoke course for Production Book via HETV Team. Training for freelancers who are not in employment is also available in this area. |
For all HODs, Supervisors, Coordinators. 3.5 hour sessions for people with management responsibilities on a production. Includes; anti-bullying and harassment, leadership/team working styles and empowering positive teams. Can be delivered online or face to face. |
Bespoke sessions available for productions that contribute to the HETV Skills Fund | |||
|
HETV Skills Fund NEW – Leadership and Management Essentials – e-learning refresher |
This is a new option if someone has completed the in-person/online course in the previous 18 months. It is highly recommended to complete the live course first to gain deeper insights through scenario-based discussion before using this module as a refresher. | Online ScreenSkills Module - Free of Charge (FOC) | |||
|
HETV Skills Fund |
The post modules course is a series of online learning modules that provides a clear overview of the technical processes in film and television post-production. These are targeted at anyone who is interested in learning about the post process and are applicable not only to those who are or are wanting to work in post but also those that need to fill in gaps in their knowledge such as line producers, production accountants, etc. | Online ScreenSkills Module - FOC | |||
|
HETV Skills Fund HETV Production Paperwork (e-learning) |
This e-learning is designed to inform scripted production office crew about the key paperwork required to be completed on any given production, why it matters, what its function is and how to handle it. | Online ScreenSkills Module - FOC | |||
| Budget Kick-Off Meeting |
Offered by the Accounts team to discuss protocols, process and coding (including sustainability tracking). Address to HOD’s Supervisors, Crowd 2nd AD and Coords from Costume, Locations, Art Dept. |
N/A: Should take place during employment period | |||
| Equipment Training | I.e. Working at Heights, Forklift training, Health and Safety, NVQ Grip training, |
Tailored to project requirements. |
|||
The below listings are not included in the Example Table of Indicative Allowances as they are bespoke services.
| Training | Details | Band 1 | Band 2 | Band 3 | Band 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Training Hub | Crew suggest courses or seminars they would like to attend during production. Once all suggestions are in, a poll goes out to all crew and the most popular ones are run for the crew. | This is something that can be created further into production once an understanding of match funding for roles such as trainees is in place and it could be reallocated. | |||
Initiatives
The below listings are included in all the totals of the Example Tables of Indicative Allowances:
| Service | Description | Band 1 | Band 2 | Band 3 | Band 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
HETV Skills Fund Bursaries |
A ScreenSkills bursary is a cash grant to remove the obstacles for freelancers getting into the screen industries or progressing their career. They can apply for money to pay for most things that relate to work and continuing professional development, such as training fees, accommodation, care, disability access costs, equipment, software and travel. Read the bursary guidelines to understand exactly what's covered to help support your crew. |
ScreenSkills Bursaries - Individual assessment based on individual and production |
|||
|
HETV Skills Fund Grade Shortage Training |
As a result of the annual industry working groups new courses that address skill and grade shortage areas for freelance crew are commissioned each year . For details of current opportunities follow adjacent link. | ScreenSkills Training, Events and Opportunities | |||
|
HETV Skills Fund Training available for productions |
For productions that contribute to the HETV Skills Fund training is available for their freelance crew – such as Trainee Finder, Make a Move and Leaders of Tomorrow. See link ScreenSkills HETV Skills Fund LIVE LINK for further detail. | ||||
|
HETV Skills Fund Trainee Finder |
Subsidised industry-sourced and supported trainees across the UK. All trainees have been through a thorough induction as well as receiving pastoral care. |
£325/week salary contribution |
£325/week salary contribution | ||
|
HETV Skills Fund Make a Move |
Subsidised funding to individuals in any grade in production chosen by the production as ready to step up to a more senior role or across with targeted support. For all other roles we recommend using the funds across several positions, with a maximum of £10k for one individual. |
Up to £15k if a HOD role. For all other roles it is recommended to use the funds across several positions, with a maximum of £10k for one individual |
|||
|
HETV Skills Funds Leaders of Tomorrow Programme |
Three-year inclusion programme providing subsidised placements for an established cohort of individuals, chosen by industry based across the UK seeking to move into leadership/HoD roles. | Funding available: £10,000.00 per Leader of Tomorrow | |||
| Trainee Shadow Placement |
Allowing for trainees to gain experience in other departments aside from the ones they are signed onto trainee schemes as. For example a sound trainee who has an interest in camera would join the camera team on a production as an additional trainee. This budget allowance is for a trainee to come in and cover the trainee who is shadowing. This prevents the destabilisation of the department and allows a trainee to learn from another trainee. |
Amount at discretion of production company, but no lower than the National Minimum Wage. |
|||
| Training and Trainee Manager |
To work across training of all crew and cast. They would work across multiple productions part-time. |
£240.00-£350.00 per day Allow minimum 3 days per week for 12 weeks in Prep. Allow minimum 2 days per week during shoot. Allow 10 days wrap for finalising all trainee work and feedback, report writing, pastoral care and company review. Based on 10 week shoot estimated cost to employer ranges from: £15,840.00 - £23,100.00 *will vary due to shoot durations, skills of training coordinator and requirements of production |
|||
| Trainee and Training Coordinator |
To work across training of all crew and cast. They would work across multiple productions part-time. |
£180.00-£350.00 per day Allow minimum 3 day per week for 12 weeks in Prep. Allow minimum 2 days per week during shoot. Allow 10 days wrap for finalising all trainee work and feedback, report writing, pastoral care and company review. Based on 10 week shoot estimated cost to employer range: £11,880.00 - £23,100.00 *will vary due to prep and shoot durations, skillset of training coordinator, whether there is a Training Manager and the requirements of the production |
|||
The below listings are not included in the Example Table of Indicative Allowances as they are bespoke services.
| Service | Info | Band 1 | Band 2 | Band 3 | Band 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Producer & Director Shadow Placement |
Positive Action re DEI. This should not just be for junior producers and directors, we should look to reach out to agents of new and diverse talent to offer them the opportunity. Fifty hours per week. This could be offered to new and upcoming producers and directors, or to producers and directors who have experience but are looking to take the next step (next Band) |
Allow 2 weeks per placement Amount at discretion of production company, but no lower than the National Minimum Wage. |
Suggest 6 weeks minimum per placement. 2 weeks Prep (to include recces and Production Meeting), 1 week in Block 1, 1 week in Block 2, 2 weeks in post (edit, reviews, sound, picture, VFX) Wages at discretion of production company, but no lower than the National Minimum Wage. |
||
| Work Experience |
Recruit from non-institutional youth engagements: local organisations, youth centres, organisations offering support to marginalised/underrepresented/underprivileged youth. Advise taking two people at a time to operate a buddy system. Encourage talking to local film councils about partnerships. Travel expenses and relevant accommodation should also be factored in. |
Allow 2 weeks per placement Amount at discretion of production company, but no lower than the National Minimum Wage. |
|||
Please note: HETV Skills Fund training courses are regularly reviewed and new training programmes are commissioned each Spring following the convening of the 12 industry working groups and their discussions and recommendations based on the annual HETV Skills research. The details included in this resource about available ScreenSkills HETV courses should not be seen as definitive so please check with the HETV Skills Fund Team about training available for your production.
ScreenSkills delivers annual DEI training for productions and freelancers in line with industry need. Please check their Training and Opportunities page for the latest updates.