NFTS Scotland, BBCS team on training scheme – Televisual

NFTS Scotland has tied with BBC Studioworks and QTV on a new 12-month paid trainee programme, set to start in August 2023.

Following the Multi-Camera TV Conversion programme in 2022 which supported the expansion of Scotland’s entertainment sector, the initiative will provide another opportunity for six aspiring craftspeople to become skilled crew working within the Scottish television industry.

The Scottish Broadcast Trainee Programme is being launched in partnership with funders Screen Scotland and Glasgow City Council. Applications are currently open until midnight on Sunday 25^thJune.

The Scottish Broadcast Trainee Programme will offer a “comprehensive and immersive” experience, equipping participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to “thrive in the dynamic world of television production.” The selected trainees will benefit from the expertise and facilities of BBC Studioworks and QTV, coupled with the guidance and support of NFTS Scotland. The traineeship will commence with a three-week multi-camera training course, with one week in Glasgow and two weeks spent at the National Film and Television School’s television studio in Beaconsfield.

The placement gives the trainees the opportunity to gain hands on experience in high-end studio productions at BBC Studioworks new facilities in Kelvin Hall. They will also delve into a range of major live sporting events such as SPFL and Scottish Rugby, music and corporate operations at QTV’s Baillieston facilities as well as gaining real time experience at BBC Scotland, BBC Studioworks and clients and River City.

“We are delighted to partner with BBC Studioworks and QTV to launch the innovative Scottish Broadcast Trainee Programme, commented Alison Goring, Head of NFTS Scotland. “By combining the resources and expertise of BBC Studioworks, QTV and NFTS Scotland, we are creating a unique opportunity for trainees to develop their skills, gain hands-on experience and unlock their full potential. We are proud to work in collaboration with the programme’s funders Screen Scotland and Glasgow City Council to further bolster the growth and success of Scotland’s creative sector.”

Throughout the programme, trainees will be exposed to a range of technical roles and industry practices, including multi-camera studio production and outside broadcast.

The Scottish Broadcast Trainee Programme will run from August 2023, offering successful applicants a chance to immerse themselves in the world of television production for a period of twelve months. Trainees will benefit from a paid position aligned with industry standards.

Applicants with prior experience in the screen industries or transferable skills from compatible sectors are encouraged to apply.

Steven Little, Screen Scotland’s Head of Production said: “This new collaboration between QTV, BBC Studioworks, Screen Scotland, Glasgow City Council and NFTS Scotland will unlock another layer of career development opportunities for freelance crew looking to work in outside broadcast and studio production in Scotland.

“Film and TV production in Scotland continues to enjoy incredible growth, thanks largely to the opening of new studios across the country since 2018. The Kelvin Hall Entertainment Studio in Glasgow was a significant milestone for our sector, unlocking growth in entertainment, comedy and quiz show production from Scotland. From the start BBC Studioworks, operators of the Kelvin Hall studio, have demonstrated their commitment to Scotland by investing in training provision and collaborating with local companies and training providers.”

Lucy Lake, QTV’s Director of People and Purpose, said: “We have been faced with a skills shortage in many areas of the broadcast technology sector and wanted to build a long-term strategy to develop a sustainable and diverse freelance workforce in Scotland. We are so grateful to have had the continuous support of Screen Scotland and NFTS Scotland, and to have partnered with BBC Studioworks to fast track the skills development of already talented people in both studio and outside broadcast. After twelve months, our trainees will be ready to work and experienced enough to join the freelance industry in Scotland.”

Katie Leveson from BBC Studioworks added: “Kelvin Hall’s opening in September 2022 symbolized our commitment to fuel Scotland’s creative workforce. Through collaboration with QTV, NFTS, and River City, we’ve established a shared vision about how we want to impact the future of skills and opportunities in Scotland. The Scottish Broadcast Trainee Programme represents a new era of training initiatives, where the focus is on creating jobs as well as developing skills. This marks a promising future for production in Glasgow, where the city thrives as a hub of exceptional technical talent in the industry.”

The application deadline is midnight on Sunday 25^th June. For more information about the trainee programme and to apply, visit nfts.co.uk/scottish-broadcast-training-programme

Jon Creamer

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