The overall aim of the Skills Accelerator is to increase opportunities for employment of below-the-line production crew for underrepresented talent into the West Midlands screen industries.
Training providers form part of a network of suppliers led by Create Central to achieve this aim. Recruitment to the training courses will be supported by a targeted and bespoke outreach and engagement programme to encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds, delivered by specialist marketing and events suppliers. In addition, the training courses will be promoted at special Skills Accelerator industry events to network the training course cohorts with the West Midlands screen industry.
These skills programmes have been identified by Create Central’s industry members and a wider industry partnership group (including BBC, C4, ITV and YouTube) to support sector investment in the region. Training providers work closely with Create Central to ensure the course materials align with latest market intelligence from Create Central’s industry members and partners.
Made possible by the BFI awarding funds from the National Lottery, additional match-funding is being offered by the West Midlands Combined Authority to support local residents in accessing the skills required to secure sustainable employment in the industry.
Our courses
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Rock up Ready
TV & Film Career Launchpad - this is designed to equip film, television and digital media graduates, and graduates from all other disciplines, with knowledge and skills to develop a career in the local and national production sector.
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TV & Film Fusion
Scripted and Unscripted TV & Film Careers - for new entrants, this course requires no qualifications and will provide participants with the skills to build portfolio careers in both scripted and unscripted.
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Step up to HOD
Empowering Future Department Heads in the TV & Film Industry (scripted and unscripted) - creating a talent pipeline of highly skilled and well-trained crew ready to take on more senior roles within the sector.
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Bootcamps
Create Central bootcamps are designed to meet industry needs and skills gaps. Create Central members have helped to shape our bootcamp content and are offering real-life work experience for existing gaps in their businesses.
BBC Apprentice Hub
Create Central is supporting the BBC to engage with local businesses. Those that have partnered up with the BBC for the first round of apprenticeships include Full Fat TV, Optomen Television, Electric House, WMCA, Caters News, No Class Creations and Top Banana.
The first group of apprentices worked in broadcast production, content creation, and digital marketing.
24-year-old apprentice Chantelle Grant who got a role as Broadcast Production Assistant at Optomen TV says: “I am so happy to be here. I have always wanted to work in broadcast and music production so when I found out about this scheme I rushed to apply.”
Stonehouse - SnowedIn Productions for ITV
Do you want to get into the screen industries?
Yen Yau is a Create Central Member and screen industries professional with over 20 years experience. Her passion is supporting new entrants who want to work in the film and television industries. She has some great advice for getting your career started…