Animation Trainee Finder programme

This trainee program aims to place new entrants looking to start their career across animation in paid placement roles on film and TV productions in the UK 

Five colourful animated clay creatures play with toys in a children's nursery
Image: The Very Small Creatures (C) Very Small Creatures and Aardman Animations Limited 2023

Applications for 2025/27 will open Monday 1 September and close on Friday 26 September


ScreenSkills' Animation Trainee Finder is an entry-level placement scheme which seeks to place trainees on animation productions to ensure a continued supply of talent capable of making world-class creative animated content – a programme made possible thanks to industry contributions to the Animation Skills Fund.

Returning for a new two year period, we aim to select a cohort of up to 25 new trainees whose focuses will range from 2D, 3D and stop motion animation, storyboard artist, production assistant, art department and edit.

Animation productions that contribute to the Skills Fund will have access to this cohort and be able to split the salary costs of trainees with ScreenSkills, utilising a percentage of their own accessible contribution.

Animation Trainee Finder is part of ScreenSkills’ Animation Skills Fund’s wider commitment to increasing and improving diversity and inclusion at every level of the animation industry regardless of background or educational attainment.

The current 2023-25 year of this program saw a wide range of success, with trainees gaining placements on productions such as Piripenguins (Eaglet Films), Stan and Gran (Tiger Aspect Kids & Family), The Very Small Creatures (Aardman Animations), Maddie + Triggs (Sun & Moon Studios), Ten Little Who (Karrot Animation) and The Sunnyridge 3 (Blink Industries).

Here's what some of the 2023/25 cohort said about the programme:

Jamie Chua (character designer): 

“The programme has given me opportunities to grow in multiple ways. I have had the chance to attend amazing industry events like festivals and exclusive screenings, where I was able to speak to other individuals passionate about animation, and to enjoy their work on screen. I also found that the Trainee Finder cohort community itself has been incredibly supportive of each other, recommending resources to one another and celebrating each other’s achievements. Both events and the cohort network have continually inspired me and helped improve my creative work.”

Read Jamie's full story

Paris Childs (2D animator):

“Finding a way to get your foot in the door of the animation industry can be hard, especially as a new graduate, and ScreenSkills' Animation Trainee Finder gave me the opportunity to gain the experience I needed to start my career. My placement with Karrot on Ten Little... Who? was a perfect fit. I worked as a Junior Designer, creating backgrounds and props for the show. Every day, I was learning something new, and I enjoyed getting feedback from the people I was working with! I think that the Animation Trainee Finder is so important because it gives people at an entry level a chance to gain the initial experience they need to start their career.”

Giorgos Konstantinou (director’s assistant): 

"The Animation Trainee Finder program was an amazing opportunity for learning, networking, sharing experiences and of course, a great help for landing a job in the industry. I had the opportunity to get a role through ATF at Eaglet Films. During my time there, I learnt so many new aspects of the industry as a whole, but also smaller, equally important things, like new software and production management. Everyone made sure to support each other and create a safe but also fun environment, in order for everyone to develop our skills, and ourselves."

Rebecca Oddy (2D animator):

“Being part of the ScreenSkills Trainee program helped me land a trainee role with Blink Industries. I had not done much 2D cut-out animation in Toon Boom Harmony before, but I was able to take a short course with ScreenSkills that taught me how to do it and prepared me for the role. I now feel very confident to work on another production using this method of animation, and it has opened me up to more job opportunities I can take on. I have a portfolio and CV I'm confident with, as well as work experience and a deeper understanding of the animation production process.”

Martyna Sikonczyk (2D animator):

“I'm beyond grateful for the Animation Trainee Finder programme! After graduating I really struggled with getting my foot in the door, and it's thanks to the programme that I landed my traineeship doing scene build at Sun & Moon Studios, which turned into a truly amazing one-year contract. I had the opportunity to learn not only layout and scene prep but rigging in Flash as well, not to mention all the wonderful people I had the privilege of connecting with. I'm so happy I listened to my friend when she recommended I apply, and I encourage everyone who's on the fence to give it a shot as well - it's a really invaluable resource for gaining entry into the industry!”

Cheryl Blake:

“The trainee role at Aardman through ScreenSkills’ Animation Trainee Finder was an absolutely incredible experience! Working on the pre-school series 3 of Very Small Creatures as a trainee set designer and prop maker - as well as some assistant animation work too - provided me with a comprehensive overview of the art department and animation roles within the iconic Aardman studios. I learnt how to press, clean up and sculpt the clay characters for the show; preparing and painting 3D printed props, assisted with the turnover of sets in the units and even got to do some test animations, which was a dream as a stop motion animator! As someone pivoting careers, I’m so grateful this experience is open to older graduates as well as younger ones. For future trainees, I’d recommend being curious, be willing to learn new skills and ask questions whilst being respectful of the working environment you are in. Thank you so much for the opportunity!”

Applications will open Monday 1 September and close on Friday 26 September.

Further information on how to apply, who is eligible and more information on dates can be found on the Animation Trainee Finder application page. Sign up to our newsletters to keep up to date: https://www.screenskills.com/newsletter/

If you are an animation studio with a production in development or entering prep, we would love to connect and discuss how supporting the Animation Skills Fund can benefit you. For more information, please contact Matt Brothers.