TV production bootcamp launched to help region’s creative talent into jobs

The region’s independent TV sector is calling on creative talent from across the West Midlands to join a new skills bootcamp.

Create Central – the West Midlands trade body set up to boost the region’s film, TV and games industries – is working with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which has funded the scheme, to help the region’s screen industry discover new talent, or to encourage people from other careers to switch to the TV industry.

Create Central members who work in the TV sector have helped to shape the bootcamp content and are offering work experience for existing gaps in their businesses, with a guaranteed job interview at the end.

Create Central and the WMCA have teamed up with Solihull College & University Centre, which will provide the skills training.

The bootcamp is a month-long programme followed by a work placement in one of the region’s top TV companies.

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, Man Like Mobeen, Gadget Show, Great British Menu and Small Axe, our creative sector offers a variety of rewarding careers for local people.

“Even in these difficult times when many people have sadly fallen out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic, there are opportunities for residents to retrain for a new career in the TV sector.
“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 and the Creative Industries Federation to build on the region’s existing creative and cultural talent and take it to the next level, helping to drive investment, growth and new jobs.

Chaired by Ed Shedd, Create Central’s members include Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

Independent TV companies from across the region are involved in the first bootcamp, including FirstLookTV, Daniel Alexander Films and Full Fat Television.

Neil Duncanson, Create Central member and 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 this bootcamp, to support the indie TV sector to get the right talent into our businesses, as we continue to recover from the impact of coronavirus. 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.”

The closing date for applications is midnight on 3 January 2021.