Bootcamp pilot launched to support creative talent to work in the TV industry
The region’s independent TV sector is calling on creative talent from across the West Midlands to join a new skills bootcamp.
The WMCA is funding the pilot scheme to help the region’s screen industry discover new talent, or to encourage people from other careers to switch to the TV industry.
It is working in partnership with Create Central – the new industry-led body set up to boost the region’s film, TV and games industries.
The WMCA and Create Central have teamed up with Solihull College & University Centre and Screen Central who will provide the skills training.
The bootcamp will consist of an intensive five-week programme and a three-week real-to-life work placement in one of the region’s top TV companies for people who have the drive to work as production co-ordinators, researchers or runners in the TV sector.
The WMCA is expecting to see 29,000 new, highly skilled jobs in the region’s digital and creative industries by 2030.
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “In the heart of the UK and the home of TV and film hits like Peaky Blinders, Citizen Khan and the Nativity franchise, there has never been a more exciting time for local residents to start a career in the creative sector.
“The creative industries are the fastest growing sector of the UK economy and are worth over £1 billion. We are ensuring people in the West Midlands have the right skills and talent to meet this increased demand.
“This pilot bootcamp shows we are delivering on the promises we made at the launch of Create Central, when we pledged up to £500,000 to train more people for jobs in the film, TV and games sectors.”
Create Central was developed with national bodies including the BFI, ScreenSkills, UKie, Creative England, the Creative Industries Federation and PACT to build on the region’s existing creative and cultural talent and take it to the next level, helping to drive investment, growth and thousands of new jobs.
Chaired by international industry heavyweight Ed Shedd, Create Central’s members include Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight, Nativity film franchise founder Debbie Isitt and Citizen Khan creator Adil Ray.
Independent TV companies from across the region are involved in the first bootcamp, including Wonder, Full Fat and the sector’s largest employer, North One.
Neil Duncanson, CEO of North One, whose Birmingham base produces Gadget Show, Fifth Gear, Travel Man and all Guy Martin’s programming, said: “It’s great for Create Central to partner with the WMCA to develop these bootcamps, so the indie TV sector can get the right talent into our businesses to meet our immediate needs.
“Create Central members are really supportive of an industry-led approach, so that further education colleges can provide as real-to-work training as possible. We are looking forward to hosting the first work placements in the next few months.”
The Gadget Show is one of the programmes produced by independent TV company North One, which is involved in the bootcamp, at its Birmingham base. Picture courtesy of North One
