Developing skills and talent in the screen industries

Hair and make-up artist Sophia Mascarenhas , former ScreenSkills Trainee Finder trainee, at work © ScreenSkills, Erroll Jones

Training and Skills

At the heart of our industry growth plan

Having a workforce with the right skills is vital to sustaining regional film & TV production levels, which is why developing talent to foster a skilled workforce is a central pillar of Screen Yorkshire’s growth strategy. At a national level, we work together with the BFI and ScreenSkills; regionally, Screen Yorkshire partners with key universities and The West Yorkshire College Consortium  to devise new ways to upskill local crews and to train the would-be directors and producers of the future.

Our support package for new entrants includes industry training and on the ground placement opportunities, outreach programmes, careers links and new routes through education. We also deliver upskilling programmes and shadowing for experienced crew to develop their careers and provide networking opportunities for creative talent.

Screen Yorkshire’s training programmes always involve the industry – studios, production companies and local training providers. Our programmes place diversity at the centre of recruitment, explicitly working to ensure the workforce reflects new people new skills and new voices.

Special Effects Demo, Boot Camp

How we are doing this?

We have recently launch our Continuing Professional Development Programme, Skill Up. It is designed to help enhance and develop the skills of people already working in the industry. It will help ensure that regional production companies have the skilled staff they need to grow and succeed in a highly competitive environment, in turn bringing benefit to the whole screen sector in Yorkshire. Find out more and how to apply here.

Screen Yorkshire has joined forces with ScreenSkills and the National Film and Television School to form the Centre of Screen Excellence: Yorkshire, which aims to build a greater skilled craft workforce outside London and the South East. CoSE:Y launched in Leeds on February 28th 2020, at an industry event with the first students to be recruited for our new Craft Courses for film & TV.

We have also launched the ground- breaking Connected Campus, a network of University partners working to deliver added value to students and direct links to trainee placements and internships.  University partners, through Screen Yorkshire, come together to address the skills and talent needs of the growing regional screen sector; a strategic partnership that is unique and benefits students, institutions and the industry. Connected Campus is designed to support talent entering the industry, whether they are starting careers with regionally based production companies, on the set of incoming productions or with companies relocating to Yorkshire.

Beyond Brontës is our exciting new screen industries training programme with a focus on addressing under representation within the screen industries. It is designed to break down the perceived and actual barriers that can prevent young people (aged 18 – 24) from diverse backgrounds break into the screen industries. Working closely with local industry, Beyond Brontës offers targeted support, designed to reflect the growing opportunities for young people who wish to enter the screen industries in the region. The bespoke training package, tailored to the needs of the individual, includes internships, careers information, one to one support, training and mentoring.

Screen Yorkshire also designs its own industry-recognised training schemes, such as Skill Up and Boot Camp, which have proved pivotal to supporting individuals at the beginning of their careers in the film & TV industry.

Make sure that you are the first to hear about our latest training scheme launches by signing up to our newsletter and following us on social media.

Craft Courses Beyond Brontës

Not many moons ago I was in a car park on Screen Yorkshire's first ever 'Bootcamp' courtesy of Richard Knight, watching an SFX demo from the great Ian Rowley. Who would of thought that in under 4 years I'm now an SFX Tech who's worked on and managed exciting TV like the last 5 series of The Crystal Maze and the new Poirot working alongside legends like John Malkovich.

Steve Langfield, SFX Tech and former 'Bootcamp' trainee

The Screen Yorkshire team are passionate and dedicated to give people their time and experience to help them to learn everything they can about the industry

Paul Coverdale, Locations Scout and former Bootcamp' trainee

Case studies

  • 1 / 2

    Paul Coverdale, locations scout

    A department store manager for 25 years, Paul Coverdale had always hankered after a more interesting career that would see him in the fresh air

    Read More

  • 2 / 2

    Charanprite Dhami, Producer / Director

    Despite having completed her studies at film school, Charanprite Dhami was finding it difficult to get work.

    Read More

Find out more about our training and skills support

  • Richard Knight, Production Liaison and Education

    Richard Knight, Production Liaison and Education

    Richard assists with the day to day running of the Film Office and also manages Screen Yorkshire’s training and education programmes. Richard has worked for fifteen years as a location manager, predominantly in Yorkshire on films including Four Lions and This is England, and TV Dramas such as Utopia and Prisoners Wives. As such, he has an excellent knowledge of Yorkshire’s diverse range of locations and the logistics of filming in them.    

    You can contact Richard on 0113 236 8221 or richard@screenyorkshire.co.uk