ScreenSkills is the industry-led skills body for behind-the-camera roles in the UK screen industries.

The organisation runs or commissions a range of training programmes around the UK to address skills needs in the sector, many of which offer opportunities in Bristol and the South West.

ScreenSkills are funded by industry contributions to the ScreenSkills Skills Funds – Animation, Children’s TV, High-end TV, Film and Unscripted TV – by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funds to deliver its Future Film Skills strategy, and Arts Council England.

Where to look for opportunities

The Training and opportunities directory on the ScreenSkills website is constantly updated with what is currently available and you can also find free e-learning on subjects such as mental health awareness, tackling harassment and bullying behaviours, unconscious bias and Covid safety.

There is also the Information and resources directory which also includes useful information from organisations across the sector.

If you’re looking to get into film and television, check out the Starting your career pages, which include descriptions of hundreds of roles and the routes to them under Job profiles.

ScreenSkills Select is a programme of industry endorsement for screen-related courses in further and higher education.

The ScreenSkills Jobs Board invites employers and hirers to submit off-screen opportunities in the screen industries for positions at all experience levels. Submissions are not vetted but ScreenSkills expects the industry to abide by best practice in their hires. Opportunities are tagged by region so you can search for South West-based opportunities. If you’re an employer looking to submit a job posts for inclusion, contact jobsboard@screenskills.com.

You can sign up online to receive newsletters and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Or for more information about ScreenSkills and what they do, head to their About Us page.

ScreenSkills are funded by industry contributions to the ScreenSkills Skills Funds – Animation, Children’s TV, High-end TV, Film and Unscripted TV – by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funds to deliver its Future Film Skills strategy, and Arts Council England.

Key opportunities

  • Film Trainee Finder
    A programme for new entrants delivered by ScreenSkills that offers both training and paid placements. It provides ‘set-ready’ training to talented individuals to support them as they apply for placements on film productions. Runs annually.

  • High-end TV and Children’s TV Trainee Finder
    A training programme for new entrants delivered by ScreenSkills that offers both training and paid placements. It provides ‘set-ready’ training to talented individuals to support them as they apply for placements on high-end TV (HETV) and children’s TV productions. Runs annually.

  • Animation Trainee Finder
    An entry-level paid placement scheme which places trainees on animation productions to ensure a continued supply of talent capable of making world-class creative animated content. Runs annually.

  • ScreenSkills bursary
    A cash grant to remove the obstacles to getting into the screen industries or progressing your career once you’re in. You can apply for money to pay for most things that relate to work and continuing professional development, such as training fees, accommodation, care, disability access costs, equipment, software and travel.

  • E-learning courses (various)
    ScreenSkills run free e-learning courses spanning a wide range of topics that can help you improve your knowledge and become more effective at work.

  • Information and resources
    Watch masterclasses and access comprehensive information and resources published by ScreenSkills and other industry organisations.

You’ll find up-to-date information about all of the above opportunities in ScreenSkills’ Training and opportunities directory.

Supported by ScreenSkills: South West case studies

James Dean

James Dean from Hengrove, Bristol, recently worked on two series of Sanditon (ITV) as part of ScreenSkills’ Make a Move programme, an initiative designed to help career progression for industry professionals ready to take their next step up. He’s come a long way since his apprenticeship at The Bottle Yard Studios in 2014! READ MORE

James Potts

James Potts from Bristol took part in ScreenSkills’ Skills to Screen event in 2020, designed to help people identify what skills they possess that can be transferred into the screen industries. Originally scheduled to take place at The Bottle Yard, the event moved online due to the pandemic. James’s career is now well underway; he recently worked as runner on Sanditon (ITV/BritBox/Masterpiece). READ MORE

Harriet Martin (Costume Trainee, Chloe)

Harriet Martin is originally from Paulton, a village outside Bath and is currently based between Thornbury and Bristol. She worked on Chloe (BBC One / Amazon) at The Botte Yard as a Costume Trainee as part of her ScreenSkills HETV Trainee Finder paid placement programme, and has since gone on to work on The Beaker Girls (CBBC), also made at the Studios. READ MORE

In their latest Spotlight on the South West, ScreenSkills outlines how it has been placing trainees on recent high-end TV productions such as The Pursuit of Love, Alex Rider, McDonald and Dodds and Persuasion. READ MORE

Fran Mable

ScreenSkills’ High-end TV Link course gave local line producer Frances Mable “food for thought” and some useful experience in interviewing techniques. READ MORE