Unscripted Skills Fund edit assistant/technical operator training programme

The Pipeline is delighted to again be working with the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund on a fantastic training programme for edit assistants and technical operators.

The programme offers participants industry-led online training through the lens of the two job roles. The training is delivered by working post production professionals and will build technical, creative, professional and personal skills to enhance employment opportunities.

Participants will also receive a paid placement in 2024 of 8 weeks minimum within a UK-based post facility for first-hand experience to build confidence to gain employment within this complex technical sector.

The course is designed for participants to learn as much as possible about the edit assistant and technical operator roles and responsibilities prior to their managed placement, and reflect on this learning so they are prepared and capable of undertaking a meaningful placement. All courses are underpinned with the principles of CPD and self-directed learning which encourages participants to reflect on their skills development as they progress.       

The Unscripted Edit Assistants and Technical Operators Programme is supported by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from BBC, Channel 4, Sky, A+E Networks UK, Discovery UK, Channel 5, Netflix, ITV, Amazon, UKTV and S4C matched by production companies

Who it's for

This is a highly competitive programme open to applicants across the UK, to support career development in unscripted TV. There are 40 places available for:

• New entrants with an interest in pursuing a career in post production
• Those looking to step up to the role of edit assistant and/or technical operator
• And others with transferable skills and/or experience relevant to post production looking to move into this area of the pipeline.

This programme will include an 8-week placement for each delegate with a salary contribution from the Unscripted TV Skills Fund. If you work for a production company that would be interested in offering one of these placements, please email USF@screenskills.com

What it covers

The content has a mix of professional, technical, creative, and personal development sessions to give the participants knowledge of the full end to end post pipeline to offer them a wider perspective of the process as they learn about the roles.  

Topics covered include:

• The importance of metadata
• Proxy workflows and conforming
• The ACES pipeline
• Cloud-based working
• Setting up multi-projects
• File formats
• Basic VFX
• Remote working
• Handling clients
• And the many soft skills that need to be built on when stepping into the postproduction sector.

Guest speakers will deliver relevant masterclasses to enhance understanding and offer anecdotes and industry shortcuts.

How to apply

Click the 'Apply now' button above. 

Applicants will be divided into two cohorts of 20 for the online training – delivered via Zoom – which comprises of 5 full days training in November (Monday to Friday) followed by 4 further weekends between December 2023 and March 2024.

Both cohorts receive the same training, by splitting the participants into 2 groups we can ensure focused training sessions. You’ll be asked for your preference out of the following two options:

Cohort A:

• 6th-10th November 2023
• 25th & 26th November 2023
• 13th & 14th January 2024
• 3rd & 4th February 2024
• 24th & 25th February 2024

Cohort B:

• 13th-17th November 2023
• 2nd & 3rd December 2023
• 20th & 21st January 2024
• 10th & 11th February 2024
• 2nd & 3rd March 2024 

The 8-week placements will run between February 2024 until June 2024 at post production facilities across the UK. Exact dates TBC.