Programme will help plug skills gap in independent TV production industry

Channel 4 and the National Film and Television School (NFTS) have launched a three-year partnership to provide practical training and development for the independent production sector.

It will deliver free face-to-face and online training sessions targeting specific industry skills gaps.

Produced and co-ordinated by the NFTS and Channel 4’s Leeds-based 4Skills team, the sessions will offer training for people looking to kickstart or enhance their careers.

Starting this month, the new partnership kicks off with three specialist programmes led by NFTS Leeds, NFTS Scotland and NFTS Cymru Wales:

• a five-day factual editing training course led by NFTS Scotland helping edit assistants develop their skills through practice.
• a six-day practical self-shooting training programme for female producers, led by NFTS Leeds and NFTS Cymru Wales, ran in partnership with the BBC.
• a series of online masterclasses to be held at the end of February, focused on business leadership and management in TV production.

As the partnership continues, further training priorities will be identified and announced.

In addition, the NFTS and 4Skills will provide opportunities for those looking to kickstart their careers in the sector through a programme of careers events and scholarships.

Sinéad Rocks, managing director Nations and Regions at Channel 4, said: “It’s great to be building on our long-standing relationship with the NFTS to support the independent production sector by growing the industry’s skills base and nurturing new talent.

“Since 4Skills launched in October 2021, the NFTS has been one of our most valued partners in our aim to support the creative industries by generating opportunities for thousands of people regardless of their background, and tackle skills gaps across the whole of the UK.”

Jon Wardle, National Film and Television School director, added: “We are incredibly proud of our on-going relationship with 4Skills and our joint commitment to developing talent at all levels within the industry.

“Plugging the gaps in skills provision and sustaining the ever-increasing requirements of production companies across the UK remains vital.

“This joined up partnership has already achieved so much and we look forward to another three years of working together to provide world class training and even more inspiring opportunities for the creative industries.”