Screen Crafts & Digital Skills Bootcamp 2026

Screen Crafts & Digital Skills Bootcamp

This Opportunity Is Now Open

Screen Crafts & Digital Skills Bootcamp for York and North Yorkshire is a part-time programme over 4 weeks, designed to give people the opportunity to explore the essential craft and digital skills required for today’s creative industries.  

This Skills Bootcamp is delivered by Screen Yorkshire and funded by the Department for Education, and is an integral part of the Government’s Skills for Life strategy. The York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority supports the roll out of Skills Bootcamps across the entire region.

This intensive  4-week programme is designed for aspiring content creators, filmmakers, freelancers and creative entrepreneurs who want to develop practical digital production skills while exploring sustainable career opportunities within today’s rapidly evolving creative industries.

Delivered by active industry professionals working across digital content, AI-assisted workflows and hybrid production pipelines, the programme provides learners with an introduction to the creative, technical and business skills required to produce professional short-form content for modern digital platforms.

The course focuses on the development and production of short-form digital content, such as informative creative pieces, which can be based on educational, factual, creative, advertising, product and brand-led ideas. Learners will be guided through the complete content creation process, from idea generation and development through to production, post-production, launch and distribution.

Throughout the programme, participants will explore how independent creators and freelancers can build sustainable careers by developing original ideas, creating intellectual property (IP), understanding audiences, monetising content and adapting to emerging technologies. The course aims to provide confidence, practical knowledge and industry insight for those considering self-employment or freelance work within the creative sector.

We are looking for applicants based in  York and North Yorkshire.

The programme is open to anyone looking to build a career in the screen industries, whether you are just starting out, already freelancing/working in the sector, a recent graduate, or bringing relevant experience from another field.

The Skills Bootcamp will be delivered from November 2026-December 2026 via a series of in-person workshops and talks, delivered by industry professionals.

What is the aim of the programme? 

This intensive  4 week programme is designed for aspiring content creators, filmmakers, freelancers and creative entrepreneurs who want to develop practical digital production skills while exploring sustainable career opportunities within today’s rapidly evolving creative industries.

 

How will the programme work?

Learners will be introduced to key industry practices and workflows, including:

  • Understanding roles and responsibilities within the creative industries
  • Professional set etiquette and collaborative working practices
  • Reading and understanding call sheets and production documentation
  • Introduction to self-employment, tax, finance and freelance working
  • CV development and employability workshops
  • Content strategy and audience development
  • Understanding commissioners, clients and content markets
  • Building and protecting intellectual property (IP)
  • Pitching ideas and presenting creative concepts
  • Storyboarding and content development workshops
  • Production planning and project management
  • Self-shooting skills for independent creators
  • Creating content for emerging platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram
  • Group production exercises and collaborative filmmaking
  • Post-production workflows and editing techniques
  • Introduction to AI /VP/motion graphics and enhancing tools within content creation
  • Distribution strategies, content launch planning and audience engagement

Practical Project

Working in small production teams, learners will develop, plan and produce a short-form content project over a dedicated three-day production period. Content may take the form of educational, factual, branded, advertising or creative digital pieces to master the skills and techniques for online distribution.

The project will enable learners to apply professional production methodologies while gaining hands-on experience across development, production and post-production stages.

 

 

By the end of the programme learners will have:

 

  • Produced a completed short-form digital content project suitable for portfolio use.
  • Developed an understanding of contemporary digital production workflows
  • Gained practical experience using camera, lighting and sound equipment
  • Explore AI through the post-production process.
  • Built confidence in developing, pitching and producing original ideas
  • Developed knowledge of freelance and self-employed career pathways
  • Learned how to prepare, distribute and promote content across digital platforms
  • Gained insight into building sustainable creative careers within an evolving industry

This programme serves as a compact industry taster, providing learners with the foundational knowledge, practical skills and professional awareness needed to begin developing their own content, grow an audience and explore opportunities within the creative and digital sectors.

I’ve been overcome with delight at every stage, receiving support and encouragement and giving me a renewed vigour for life when I had lost interest in pretty much everything. I thought that was it for me but I’m 43, I’m not done yet! I just needed it teasing out of me.

John Cooper - Screen Yorkshire trainee 2022

How will you learn?

The delivery of the course will be face-to-face practical workshops, presentations,  online training sessions, group and 1-2-1 mentoring support. Sessions will take place in  Harrogate, at the Crown Hotel.

Who is it for? 

Applicants must be 19+ and live within or around  York and North Yorkshire.

No prior film or TV experience is required; just bring your passion for the screen industries.

All learners are expected to continue engaging with Screen Yorkshire for at least 6 months after completing the training, or until they secure an employment-related outcome. This may include paid work experience, short or long-term employment contracts, or career progression within their current role.

Who we encourage to apply:

  • People looking to start a career in the screen and creative industries, with an interest in digital content creation, filmmaking, storytelling or creative production.
  • Career changers with transferable skills and experience who are looking to move into the creative industries or develop a freelance career.
  • Freelancers, self-employed creatives and those already working in the screen or creative industries who want to develop new digital production skills, explore AI-assisted workflows and expand their creative practice.
  • Recent graduates in screen, media, digital, marketing, communications, design or other creative disciplines who are looking to build practical production skills, develop original content and improve their employment or freelance/self employment prospects.

We actively encourage applicants from groups who are currently underrepresented in the screen industries.

Applications Are Now Open

To apply for the Screen Crafts and Digital Skills, please complete the application form and EDI monitoring forms below.

Applications Are Now Open

Apply Now

Find Out More at Our Q & A Session

Join our Q & A Session on Monday 10th Aug, 2026 at 06:00 PM London

We will answer the frequently asked questions, and provide answers to any questions you may have.

Register For Our Q & A

Programme Timeline November 2026-December 2026

Application Dates:

Application Close Date: Noon, 21st September, 2026
Interviews- W/C 12th October and 19th October, 2026
Offers & Onboarding- W/C 26th October and 2nd November, 2026

Course Dates

Week 1: 09, 10, 11 November, 2026
Week 2: 16, 17, 18 November, 2026
Week 3: 23, 24, 25 November, 2026
Week 4: 30 November, 01, 02 December, 2026
Week 5  08  December, 2026

Equipment needed?

It is highly recommended that applicants have their own laptop computer, so they can work on their projects in their own time. If you don’t have your own laptop or desktop computer, please still apply and let us know, as we may be able to help.

Course Fees

This Skills Bootcamp is free of charge for individuals or self-employed.

 

This Skills Bootcamps is funded by the Department for Education and is an integral part of the Government’s Skills for Life strategy. The York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority supports the roll out of Skills Bootcamps across the entire region they serve.

Still got some questions?

If you have read the course outline, and application form, and attended the Q & A, but still have some questions, or need support completing your application, you can contact our Senior Skills Coordinator, Josh or our Programme Coordinator, Kirsty.

  • Screenshot 2026-08-05 at 10.43.20

    Karen Roch, Manager - Skills Manager

    Karen manages the delivery of our skills programmes, utilising her industry expertise to up-skill Yorkshire's screen talent and connect new entrants to the industry, shaping the Film, TV and Screen Workforce of the future. Karen has more than 30 years of industry experience working in both studio and on location settings. Karen's specialist craft skills have been honed within the Art Department, working alongside large production teams, from High -End TV Dramas and Feature Films, through to Short Films and Commercials, During her career, Karen has also shared her insights through tuition at many universities. Karen manages a number of Skills Programmes at Screen Yorkshire, including  Beyond Brontes, Yorkshire's Screen Diversity Programme and Screen Crafts and Digital Skills 

    You can contact Karen on karen@screenyorkshire.co.uk

  • Josh Reynard

    Josh Renyard, Senior Skills Coordinator

    Josh works with the Skills team to develop and deliver Screen Yorkshire’s training programmes, traineeship placement opportunities and industry access events - providing new entrants vital skills and opportunities to begin a career in the screen industry, and better connecting underserved and geographically isolated communities to the wider screen industry. Josh has a background in factual TV and as a former Channel 4 trainee, he is an advocate for boosting inclusion and accessibility in the creative industries.

    You can contact Josh on josh@screenyorkshire.co.uk

  • KD Headshot 1

    Kirsty Dow, Skills Coordinator

    Kirsty works with Karen and Josh to deliver our Screen Yorkshire Skills programmes, designed to up-skill Yorkshire’s screen talent and connect new entrants with industry experts. Kirsty studied Media & Journalism at Newcastle University, with a particular interest in Northern representation. As a former Screen Yorkshire trainee and a proud northerner, she is passionate about championing opportunities for people in the North, and making the industry more accessible. Kirsty also works with Debbie on Connected Campus, our network for academic institutions, providing students with opportunities to attend masterclasses and special events with industry experts.

    kirsty@screenyorkshire.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

I already have screen industry experience, does that mean the opportunities are not for me?

If you are already working regularly in the craft which the course will focus on then you are probably too experienced to fully benefit from this opportunity. If you have screen industry experience but want to move into a new role and/or have minimal relevant credits this will not exclude you.

Can I do both a Screen Diversity Programme and Screen Craft course in the same year?

Unfortunately, not. Due to funding restrictions, you can't take one course directly after the other.  If you complete one, you'll need to wait until the following year to apply.

Do I have to attend every programme activity?

Yes, you will be required to ideally attend all sessions, which form part of the programme.  We understand that occasionally there may be circumstances, e.g. illness, unexpected caring responsibilities or last-minute changes in your work plan, that will prevent you from attending the training. In such cases the Screen Yorkshire team needs to be notified as soon as possible and in advance of the session if at all possible.

Is this course free?

For most people this course will be for free. If you are currently employed by a company within the screen industries, please get in contact with the team (training@screenyorkshire.co.uk), as a small fee may apply.

Am I able to amend my application once it’s been submitted?

We ask that you check your application through thoroughly to make sure there are no mistakes before you submit. You cannot amend your application once it has been submitted. If you need to make changes to your telephone number, email address or living address, you can email karen@screenyorkshire.co.uk and ask for these changes to be made.

I’m not yet 18, can I apply for one of the courses?

You can apply for our craft courses if your 18th birthday falls on or before the 6th February 2026.

I am already studying/have a degree. Does that make me ineligible?

No, so long as your current course of study will be completed before the start of the course you are applying for.

How long is the commitment to the course?

All courses take place between 9 November 2026 and 8 December 2026. Trainees should note that learning commitments throughout this period are part-time (approximately three days  per week). Full commitment and attendance will  be expected during the course.