UK’s ScreenSkills funds 19 TV ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’

ScreenSkills, the UK’s industry-led skills body, is to fund 19 mid-level TV production crew through a comprehensive programme of mentoring, masterclasses, bespoke training and paid on-the-job training over the next three years.

The recipients were chosen through the Leaders of Tomorrow programme, which is backed by ScreenSkills’ High-end TV (HETV) Skills Fund. These 19 crewmembers were chosen from a pool of more than 100 UK-based behind-the-camera talent after being nominated by senior industry figures.

Fifteen places on the programme are being supported by the High-end TV Skills Fund, with industry contributions from HETV productions, while Netflix and Sky Studios are funding an additional place each and the BBC a further two.

The Leaders of Tomorrow programme was created to help provide more effective career pathways for a wide range of talent, with the aim of leading to increased diversity in leadership roles within the UK industry.

Over the course of three years, the successful recipients will gain access to expertise and resources tailored to what they need to progress to head of department or to a decision-making role in the future. They will also all be able to access HETV match funding to support three placements a year across all three years if required.

The programme participants will need to secure their own offers of work, but the Leaders of Tomorrow programme lead, Hannah Green, will work with them to ensure continued development experience in line with their career goals.

“We know it is key that industry not only invests in bringing new people in, but also provides effective support to move people up into leadership and management roles,” commented Kaye Elliott, director of HETV.

“This comprehensive and inclusive programme has been designed to give mid-career professionals who are already rated by their peers the tools to progress into leadership roles and to ensure we have a vibrant and robust industry now and in the future.”

Earlier this year, ScreenSkills teamed up with UK broadcasters and trade body Pact to launch a new Unscripted TV Skills Fund, to address skills gaps and shortages in unscripted television across the country.