ScreenSkills has announced the next phase of its industry-approved Training Passport, adding new e-learning modules, production partners and accredited health and safety training to the initiative. Launched in 2024 in collaboration with BBC Studios, ITV Studios and Sky and in consultation with Pact, the Passport has now welcomed BBC Public Services, All3Media and Banijay UK as partner organisations.
The ScreenSkills Training Passport is the first pan-industry initiative to provide a digital record of standardised and industry-approved training, enabling production staff and crew to demonstrate their compliance training to date when moving from one production to another and simplifying the onboarding process for their employer.
In addition, the latest version of the Passport will now include a record of the freelancer’s training in accredited third-party health and safety modules that have been reviewed and approved through the Production Accredited Safety initiative. It also includes two newly developed modules in Data Protection and Cybersecurity, and Financial Compliance, alongside popular existing ScreenSkills modules in Addressing Unconscious Bias and Mental Health Awareness.
Since its inception, over 2,500 freelancers working on productions across the studio partners recorded and evidenced their training using the Passport, while more than 13,500 freelancers also completed their passport training independently. Almost 50% of freelancers required to take their passport training have already recently completed at least one module, demonstrating the benefit of using standardised training between partner companies.
Productions that used the passport in the last 12 months included: Bargain Hunt, The One Show, Casualty, EastEnders (BBC Studios); Rivals series two, Shetland series 10, Adultery, The Dark (ITV Studios); and Gangs of London series four, Never Mind the Buzzcocks series five, Meantime and Pip and Posy (Sky).
Tim Weiss, Director of Vocational Skills and E-Learning at ScreenSkills said: “I am thrilled to see the success and growing popularity of the Passport, and am excited to expand the range of training modules included within STP. Our completion data from the pilot suggested substantial potential benefits to the industry - reducing repetition of training and increasing compliance among freelancers - and the addition of three new partners for our next phase reflects the trust the industry places in ScreenSkills to further establish the Passport as the standard choice for high quality compliance training.”
Julie Clark, Director of Production, Drama, ITV Studios, said: “The ScreenSkills Training Passport is becoming the 'go-to' universal digital training record for our industry. It is exciting to see the platform grow with new e-learning modules that, once completed, remain relevant from job to job. This central hub for standardised training means higher standards, less admin for our crew, and more time to focus on making world-class TV!”
Bella Lambourne HR and Operations Director, Banijay UK, said: "Establishing industry approved training modules and being able to easily record and track personal training journeys via the Training Passport is a fantastic development for the industry. It helps to ensure quality and consistency of training across productions and streamlines the onboarding process for freelancers. Banijay UK is delighted to be part of the initiative and look forward to working with ScreenSkills on this next stage of its development."
Caroline Cooper, COO, Sky Entertainment Group, said: “A shared, trusted record of training is a real win for our industry. It helps freelancers move seamlessly between productions while keeping standards consistently high across the sector. It’s fantastic to see partners getting behind an initiative that supports both productions and the talented people who power them.”
Sara Geater, COO, All3Media “The Training Passport is a gamechanger for both freelancers and producers; in our business, time is everything, and having a portable record of consistent, recognised training is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk and strengthen standards across productions. Less duplication, clearer expectations, and a shared commitment to better, safer working practices benefits the whole industry. The additional modules in data protection, cybersecurity, and financial compliance are important steps in further upskilling freelancers, who we all rely on to deliver world-class content.”
Declan Kelly, HR Director People Services, BBC, said: “Following the successful pilot with BBC Studios, we’re delighted to be expanding the ScreenSkills Training Passport to BBC Public Service. The Passport marks a significant step forward for the industry and a real boost for our freelance community, offering a simpler, more consistent experience and empowering people to navigate productions with confidence. We’re proud to support an initiative that makes our industry safer, more inclusive, and easier to navigate for everyone.”
Pact’s Head of Skills, Inclusion and Diversity, Anjani Patel, said: “Pact welcomes the expansion of the Skills Passport to include additional modules and new production partners. It’s encouraging to see the Passport continue to grow, both in the number of people using it and in the strong credibility it has earned across the industry. The Skills Passport is a valuable resource for employers, offering confidence that freelance crew members have already completed high‑quality training. This not only supports consistent standards but also streamlines onboarding as production staff and freelancers move between companies and productions.”