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.”
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!”
We are looking for talented individuals from across the UK who have less than 12 months of paid experience in the animation industry. You must be able to clearly demonstrate a passion and commitment for a career in animation by providing evidence of one or more of the following:
- Working on previous productions, including short films
- Looking for/finding work experience
- Role-specific skills
To be eligible you must:
- Be 18 or over
- Live in the UK and have evidence of the right to work in the UK
- Have completed full-time education by 1 November 2025 – please note you do not need a university degree to apply
- Have less than 12 months’ relevant, paid experience in the animation industry
- Make yourself available for placements offered to you during your time on the scheme
- Be open and flexible to consider opportunities across the UK
- Demonstrate an interest in and commitment to the animation industry and working in the roles identified
- provide a showreel/portfolio that demonstrates your skills and experience
Please note:
Any training will be subject to the applicants providing evidence of their right to remain in the UK. Failure to provide appropriate documentation may result in the training placement being withdrawn.
All successful applicants must attend a mandatory two-day, online induction weekend on 1 and 2 November 2025 in preparation for the scheme. Further details will be announced closer to the time.
ScreenSkills is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of its work.
We particularly welcome applications from those who identify as being from a minority ethnic background, because we are committed to creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce, and this demographic is currently under represented across the animation industry.
What experience do I need to have to apply?
You need to be able to demonstrate that you have experience of animation, which your showreel or portfolio should evidence. We will be judging applications based on the skills you demonstrate in your chosen department(s), whether it be within 2D, 3D or stop motion, production, art, edit or storyboard. We will also consider the experience you have had to date, which can include personal projects and not necessarily paid work experience.
Do I need to have a formal qualification to apply?
You do not need to have a formal qualification, such as a degree in animation, to apply to the programme. If you are still in full-time education, you are not eligible to apply.
Do I need to supply a showreel or portfolio and two letters of recommendation?
You do need to supply both a link to a showreel or portfolio and two letters of recommendation to be considered for the scheme.
Are the placements paid?
Once you have been interviewed by a production company and been offered a placement, the production company will take you on as an employee and pay you a salary set by the company at a rate at or above National Minimum Wage. You may be placed on productions for periods of between two and 24 weeks dependent on the production’s needs/available funding.
What roles might I be expected to take on?
The roles you will be offered will be entry-level and dependent on the needs of the production. The role may be offered as a junior animator/assistant animator, a storyboard artist assistant/revisionist, junior rigger, production coordinator/production assistant, art department assistant or assistant editor, for example. You will learn the skills for the role on the job with the support of the production company.
What will I need to share with ScreenSkills if I am successful in securing a place?
- You will need to share with us a two-page CV at the start of the programme
- You will need to sign an offer letter agreeing to the terms of the programme
- You will need to share evidence of your right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the programme
What is the schedule for Trainee Finder?
- 1 September – applications open
- 26 September - applications close
- 17 October – candidates will be notified if they are invited to interview
- W/c 20 October – interviews
- 29 October – successful candidates will be notified if they have been selected
- 1 and 2 November – induction bootcamp (online)
- 3 November – programme starts, productions have the option to begin reviewing candidates for placements
- 31 October 2027 – Trainee Finder 25-27 programme ends
Please note: Zoom interviews are set for the w/c 20 October so do make sure you have generally good availability for a virtual interview in that period before applying (should you progress to interview stage), as we are unable to change this. If you progress but are not free for an interview in that period, your slot may be reassigned to another candidate.
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.