Yorkshire’s Screen Diversity Programme

Applications Now Closed. Yorkshire's Screen Diversity Programme

Applications for our Summer 2025 programme now closed.

Screen Yorkshire is calling for people with a passion for the screen industries (Film, TV, VFX, Virtual Production) to apply to Yorkshire’s Screen Diversity Programme. Our highly successful part-time training programme, designed to build your confidence and skills and empower you to embark on a rewarding career in the screen industries. You must be aged 19 or over, live in Yorkshire, and not have participated in a Skills Bootcamp in the last 12 months to apply. 

Delivered by Screen Yorkshire, Yorkshire’s Screen Diversity Programme is a Skills Bootcamp course, funded by the Department for Education, and is an integral part of the skills for life strategy.  This Skills Bootcamp has been commissioned by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, using funding from government.

 

Getting people into work in screen industries

Since 2019, our programmes have supported over 300 trainees, many of whom have gone on to work on high profile screen productions, such as: Adolescence, Emmerdale, Bridgerton, Gentleman Jack, Jamie Johnson FC, The Railway Children Return, Mission Impossible 7, Race Around the World, All Creatures Great and Small, The Great British Sewing Bee,  Sky Peals, High Hoops and Virdee. Trainees have also gone on to work at high-profile factual production companies such as True North, AirTV, Prime Focus, QTV, Wise Owl Films, Candour, and broadcasters including Channel 4 and ITV. 

Successful applicants will take part in a comprehensive training programme covering the full production process — from idea development and filming to post-production and distribution. They’ll explore a wide range of roles, from production management, research, development, and editing to on-set crew positions in locations, costume, hair and make-up, art department, script supervision, lighting, camera, and sound. The programme includes industry masterclasses, hands-on workshops with expert mentors, CV and interview support, freelance advice (including finance and networking), and set etiquette training.

We will support participants with finding their first job in the screen industries with 1-2-1 skills assessments and career advice and practical help to secure entry level employment in the screen industries.

What will participants walk away with?

An overview of the screen industry landscape and job roles in the screen industries, including:

  • Understanding of entry level opportunities within the screen industries, including Film, TV, VFX,
    Virtual Production and content creation.
  • Progression opportunities and career paths within the screen industries
  • Basic set etiquette, preparing participants for entry level job roles in the screen industries
  • CV and interview skills
  • Increased confidence and recognition of transferable knowledge, skills and individual abilities
  • Opportunities to explore a role/work area they are interested in with the help of industry professionals.
  • Understanding what it means to work as a freelancer within the screen industries
  • Access to information about screen industries job and training opportunities and where to find them
  • Access to Screen Yorkshire’s ongoing support, including trainee hub, crew service and further training opportunities

Screen Yorkshire trainee on set- Beyond Brontes 2024

Who can apply?

We are looking for individuals who have a true passion for working in the screen industries (including Film, TV, VFX, Virtual Production and content creation), but you are not sure where to start. You must be aged 19 or over, live in Yorkshire to apply and have not participated in a Skills Bootcamp programme in the last 12 months.

No experience or qualifications in the screen industries are necessary, however, applicants must show a commitment to starting a career in the screen industries and be available to take on freelance contracts, short-term or long-term employment within 6 months after completing the course.

University graduates,  are welcome to apply, as are people with transferable skills looking to change their career path at any life stage. We are looking for trainees who bring a diverse range of experiences to the group and we actively encourage applicants from groups who are currently underrepresented in the film and television industries. Please refer to our FAQs to find out which groups are considered underrepresented.

When will Yorkshire's Screen Diversity Programme take place?

Our part-time 2025 training programme runs for 5 weeks in Harrogate during July and August 2025. This will include an introductory week on 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th July, to introduce you to the programme. Attendance at both the in-person introductory week and the in-person practical workshops below is mandatory. Our  workshops will take place on:

  • 21st, 22nd, 23rd July
  • 28th, 29th, 30th July 
  • 4th, 5th, 6th August
  • 11th, 12th 13th August  

All dates are subject to change – a full schedule will be available at the start of the programme. Although the training aims to be comprehensive, training in specific roles and technical skills will be limited due to the wide remit. 

 

Applications for our Summer 2025 programme are now open.

To apply, please complete and submit our online application form.You have the option to record or film your answers to the main questions instead of submitting them in written format. 

Applications close at 12pm on Monday 23rd June. 

In the event that you are shortlisted for the programme, you will be invited to an interview from the close date.

Successful applicants will be offered a places from the week beginning 30th June and will be expected to accept within 48 hours of the offer. We will endeavour to contact everyone who applies, however due to the number of applications we receive, if you have not heard from us by the end of June, please assume you have not been offered a place on the course. 

 

Hear from our previous trainees:

Shehzida worked on Screen Yorkshire-funded feature film Sky Peals as part of her  training, and has since worked on a variety of projects including commercials, short film Youthless (which has been picked up by Rollem Productions for adaptation into a 6-part TV drama) and a Taylor Swift music video.

The programme provided me with amazing opportunities to build my experience and network. I’m so glad I took the leap and applied. It made access to the industry far less daunting, and helped me to realise that Film & TV is for me.

Shehzida Iqbal, Screen Yorkshire alumni

Neelam, a graduate of  Yorkshire’s Screen Diversity Programme, has gone on to kickstart her screen industry career as an Art Department Trainee on Netflix’s monumental TV sensation, Adolescence.

"The Programme was such a great experience—it gave me the skills, confidence, and connections to get started in HETV. I’m so grateful for the support and guidance, especially at a time I felt lost about what I wanted to do as a career." -Neelam Majumder

Neelam Majumder, Screen Yorkshire alumni

Frequently Asked Questions:

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.

Who can apply for Yorkshire's Screen Diversity Programme?

To be eligible for the Yorkshire's Screen Diversity Programme, you must be:
  • Be over the age of 19 by 30th of June
  • Live in Yorkshire.
  • Meet at least one diversity criteria. Yorkshire's Screen Diversity Programme is an access programme with the aim of supporting those with identities or characteristics that are under-represented in the industry. Please see next question for a description of some of the characteristics we consider as underrepresented.
  • Be available to take on at least temporary, short-term employment, or full employment within 6 months after completing the course.
  • Have not taken part in a Skills Bootcamp course in the last 12 months

How do I know if I am under-represented in the screen industries and eligible for Yorkshire's Screen Diversity Programme?

The objective of the Yorkshire's Screen Diversity Programme is to redress the issue of under-representation in the screen industries by aiding under-represented individuals with protected characteristics to enter the industry. Therefore, we encourage applicants who identify with having a protected characteristic that may be under-represented in the industry to apply for the programme. Some of these protected characteristics are: gender, race/ethnicity, age, disability, LGBTQ+ identity, religion, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership. There is more information on protected characteristics here: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/equality/equality-act-2010/protected-characteristics We also welcome applications from people who are from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, those based in areas with poor transport links and any other access challenges. If you are unsure if you are under-represented in the screen industries there is further information here: https://www.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/bfi-workforce-diversity-in-uk-screen-sector-evidence-review-2018-03.pdf (see pp. 31-39), or please get in touch with the team: training@screenyorkshire.co.uk

I’m working, can I fit this job around work or education?

Ultimately it is a personal decision whether you can balance the programme with other responsibilities and commitments. Our sessions will take place part-time on weekdays.

Can I reapply for Yorkshire's Screen Diversity Programme?

Yes – we encourage applicants to reapply for the programme if they have not been previously successful. 

What experience do I need to join the course?

While there is no expectation that you will have any experience in Film, TV, VFX, Virtual Production, Animation or Games, you will have gained useful experience and transferable skills in previous jobs or education, which will come in useful for employment in the screen industries.

What is considered as "available for employment"?

Available for employment covers any paid employment, including:
  • Being available to take on paid work placements up to four weeks in duration
  • Dailies (one to two-day experiences) work on set
  • Freelance work servicing or within the screen industries
  • Short-term or long-term contracts within the industry
  • Work in related industries such as Marketing, Distribution, Cinema Exhibition
   

 

I’m studying at university/have a degree. Does that make me ineligible?

Regardless of whether your degree is related to the screen industries: 
  • If you have graduated from university/ college, and do not currently have an established career in the screen industries, you are eligible to apply.  
  • If you are currently studying in your first/ second year of a degree, you are unfortunately ineligible for the course.   
  • If you are in your final year and will graduate directly before/ just after the start of the programme, you are eligible to apply.

I’m new to the screen industries. Where can I find out about job roles in Film, TV, VFX and Virtual Production?

Yorkshire's Screen Diversity Programme will introduce you to a wide range of jobs in the screen industries.  However, for further information, please refer here:myfirstjobinfilm.com/UK/resources/careers-guide

I’m receiving benefits. Will the programme affect them?

There are various benefits that can be claimed with specific regulations and rules on what might affect your benefit claim. The best way to assess your query, would be to visit your local Department of Work and Pensions or alternatively, contact them. Details for contacting your relevant claim department by telephone, can be found here: https://customerservicecontactnumber.uk/dwp/

Will I be trained in a particular field of the screen industries?

Yorkshire's Screen Diversity Programme will provide various resources to help the selected cohort gain knowledge, skills and confidence in the industry overall, in addition to supporting individuals’ tailored career interests so they can take on a first job in the screen industries. Where we can, we will cater to help individuals gain access and insight into their field of interest.  However participants will be required to interact with the whole programme and applicants must show a commitment to starting a career in the screen industries and be available to take on at least temporary, short-term employment, or full employment within 6 months after completing the course.

Hair and make-up artists Sophia Mascarenhas and Claire Anne Williams , former Screen Yorkshire trainees, photo by Erroll Jones

Still got some questions?

If you have read the course outline and application form and need support completing your application, you can contact our Skills Manager Karen or our Programme Coordinator Holly or Skills Coordinator Josh.

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    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 
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    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.