ScreenSkills Trainee Finder is a well-established and industry-respected training programme. We work closely with film and high-end TV productions who contribute to the skills funds and join us in helping to build trainees’ future careers. Throughout the year trainees will receive exclusive paid placement opportunities, training and pastoral support from the teams to ensure that trainees get the most out of their time whilst on programme.
There are some differences and similarities between Film and High-end TV (including children’s TV) Trainee Finder. Geographical bases can sometimes be a deciding factor so do your research into what has previously been filmed locally to you. Consider if you are based near big film studios or if high-end TV (HETV) productions have been filmed near you recently. The departments that we are recruiting for this year are also slightly different for the two programmes. Ultimately, it is about your passion and where you see yourself in the future.
When a trainee secures a placement they become part of the production team like any other member of the crew. This is an opportunity to learn and develop their craft and make valuable work connections.
Trainees will be required to be on time for work, complete trainee tasks to a high standard and be open to learning opportunities while on the job. While on a placement, trainees are also required to complete a training plan to set objectives to achieve during their time on production with the help of a supervisor within their department.
If you have had less than 12 months of accumulated paid experience on film or high-end TV (HETV) productions in your chosen department, then you are eligible to apply. For example, if you have worked on productions for three months over a 12-month period, you can still apply. If the total amount of time you have been contracted as a paid member of the crew in the department you are applying for is over 12 months, then you are not eligible to apply for Trainee Finder.
When applying, you’ll be asked to upload your CV. Within this, we recommend that you clearly show the length of your work experience for each on-set production job. For example, indicate the months you worked on a production for (e.g. June – August 2022), and if you worked as a daily on a production you can indicate this also (e.g. June - dailies).
Yes. We will be looking for evidence of your passion for and commitment to the department you apply to.
We welcome applicants who may have transferable skills, for example, from other creative sectors such as theatre, music, photography and commercial production, or from roles in other sectors such as business administration, event management, or make-up and hair applicants with salon experience.
No. We encourage passionate and engaged candidates from all ages above the age of 18. Please note that the positions we offer through Trainee Finder will always be entry-level. For example, even if you were at a managerial level in your previous employment, all opportunities offered through Trainee Finder will be at an entry trainee level.
There is no educational requirement to apply for Trainee Finder. However, those enrolled in full time education must have completed their studies by 31 March 2024 to be eligible to take part. Please note that you do not need a university degree to apply. If you are still in full-time education on 31 March 2024 you will not be eligible for Trainee Finder.
We are looking for talented individuals from across the UK who have less than 12 months of paid experience in your chosen area. You must be able to clearly demonstrate a passion and commitment for either film or high-end TV (HETV) and your job role of choice by providing evidence of one or more of the following:
- looking for/finding paid or unpaid work experience
- working to obtain department-specific skills
- suitable transferable skills for your selected department - for example, from other creative sectors such as theatre, music, photography, and commercial production, or from roles in other sectors such as business administration, event management, or make-up and hair applicants with salon experience
Please refer to the job profiles and the skills checklists.
Yes! All trainees when on placement will be paid at least the national minimum wage. As part of their crew, payment will be made via the production, not ScreenSkills, on a weekly or monthly basis. Once you have secured a placement, the production will be your employer and they’ll manage elements such as pay, contracts and deal memos.
You do not need a UK driving license to apply to Trainee Finder. Productions sometimes request trainees who have driving licenses as trainees may be asked to go to rural shoot locations and particular shooting schedules, however this is not the case for all placements.
ScreenSkills offers bursaries for driving lessons through our separate bursaries programme. Please read the guidelines here.
Trainees are required to continue to look for their own work outside of the programme. We aim to give as much notice as possible of when a placement will start. Due to the nature of the industry, this is not always possible and often placements are confirmed at short notice. Before applying trainees should consider if the Trainee Finder format suits their current circumstances, enabling them to take full advantage of this year-long programme.
For more information about working in the industry check out our Freelancer Toolkit.
The minimum duration for all placements is four weeks, and the maximum period is 24 weeks. The length of a placement is determined by the production. This can be based on their trainee requirements and/or budget.
While we endeavour to secure placements for all trainees unfortunately we cannot guarantee it. We will strive to help you and put you forward for any placements you express interest in, but it's the production that decides which trainee to take on. Trainees are required to continue to look for their own work outside of the scheme.
We encourage trainees to look for their own work and build their own networks while on the programme. If a trainee does secure work outside of the programme, we ask that they ensure that their CV and ScreenSkills profile are kept up-to-date and keep the Trainee Finder team informed about their availability.
Acceptance onto the Trainee Finder programme is department specific and the trainee will only be offered roles within this department.
We would advise that before applying you take the time to look through our job profiles.
Film and High-end TV Trainee Finder work with productions across the UK but we cannot predict which productions will be filming in each area at any given point, or which of their departments will need trainees.
Trainees will not be expected to relocate for a placement but they are welcome to and we do encourage trainees to put themselves forward for as many job opportunities as possible that are shared via Trainee Finder.
We run an Animation Trainee Finder scheme every year. We recommend you sign up for our newsletters to find out more about the next recruitment round.
ScreenSkills is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of its work. We work with productions to support any trainee with reasonable adjustment requirements. We also recommend contacting Access to Work for support if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.
This year's Trainee Finder programmes will end on the 31 of March 2025. Once you have completed your year, we hope that you will be well equipped with new skills and work experience to further develop your career on your own merit. At this point in your career, there may also be other ScreenSkills programmes and training that could help support you. You will also become part of the ScreenSkills Trainee Finder Alumni community.