HETV and Children's TV Trainee Finder 2024/25

What is High-End and Children's TV Trainee Finder? 

High-End TV (HETV) and Children's TV Trainee Finder is an entry-level placement programme that places trainees on productions across the UK (including Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland) to ensure a continued supply of talent, capable of making world-class creative content. Participants become part of an industry-recognised group of trainees and receive exclusive access to training placements across the UK. 

In previous years trainees have been placed on HETV productions including Bridgerton, Top Boy, Line of Duty, Outlander, Sex Education, Brassic, Ted Lasso, Time, The Crown, Killing Eve, Derry Girls, Gentleman Jack, House of the Dragon, The Responder, Sex Eduction & Black Mirror. 

Children's TV placements are on live-action TV productions for younger audiences. Trainees have been placed on productions such as The Dumping Ground, Dodger, Phoenix Rising, Gangsta Granny Strikes Again, Horrible Histories and One Zoo Three Goes Wild.

We are looking for trainees keen to pursue a career in HETV in the following departments and job roles: 

• Accounts  
• Art
• Camera
• Costume
• Edit
• Floor Runner (Assistant Director)
• Hair and Makeup
• Locations
• Production Office  
• Sound 
   
  To find out more about these job role and others, please explore the ScreenSkills job profiles and Skills Checklist. For more information on what it is like to be part of the programme, and to hear from trainees past and present, watch our webinar. 

Also, we strongly recommend you explore our range of free online modules, including Getting into the screen industries and our Work Well series, to help you prepare for the application process. 

 

Application Information 

Applicants are invited to apply to either film or high-end TV - which includes both HETV and children's TV placements - please note you cannot apply to both. If you are interested in applying for the Film Trainee Finder click here. 

We especially welcome applications from individuals who have taken part in a ScreenSkills’ First Break programme and from those who have graduated from ScreenSkills-endorsed courses or from partner programmes. 

Accessibility 

ScreenSkills is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of its work. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups, because we are committed to creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce. If you are deaf or disabled and require an alternative format of the application form, require access adjustments at the interview stage, or have any questions about Trainee Finder, please contact: trainee.finder@screenskills.com. 

Who it's for

Eligibility Criteria

We are looking for talented individuals from across the UK who have less than 12 months of paid experience in their chosen department. You do not need to have any on-set experience to apply, we ask that applicants show enthusiasm for the department they wish to work in and demonstrate the skills they have that align with the trainee role within it. 

You must be able to clearly demonstrate a passion and commitment for your job role of choice by providing evidence of one or more of the following:

• Looking for / finding paid or unpaid work experience
• Working to obtain department-specific skills suitable transferable skills for your selected department - for example, from other creative sectors such as theatre, music, photography, and commercial production, or from roles in other sectors such as business administration, event management, or make-up and hair applicants with salon experience. Please refer again to the job profiles and the skills checklists

 Applicants must: 

• Be over 18 years old – there is no upper age limit
• Live in the UK and have evidence of the right to work in the UK 
  Have completed full-time education by 31 March, 2024 – there are no education requirements to be on Trainee Finder, however, if you are enrolled in full-time education you are not eligible for this programme as you will not be available to complete placements  
• Have less than 12 months, of relevant, paid experience in their chosen department within film or HETV productions. Industry experience is NOT a requirement for Trainee Finder
• Be open and flexible to considering opportunities across the UK 
  Demonstrate an interest in and commitment to their chosen department
• Be committed to attending training sessions (predominantly online) organised by ScreenSkills throughout the 12 months 
   
  Please note:
• Acceptance onto the programme will be subject to the applicants providing evidence of their right to remain in the UK & 2 written references  
• Trainee Finder does not guarantee placements and that Trainees are required to continue to look for their own work outside of the programme
• All successful applicants must attend a mandatory online induction event currently scheduled for March/ April 2024, exact date to be confirmed

How to apply

How to apply

You will need a ScreenSkills account to apply to Trainee Finder. If you do not already have an account, you can register here. 

To apply for HETV Trainee Finder, click on the 'apply' button above – please note you cannot apply for both the film and high-end TV branches of the programme. If you are interested in applying for the Film Trainee Finder click here. 

If you require an alternative format for the application please contact us as soon as possible at trainee.finder@screenskills.com. 

Applications close at 23:59 on Monday 20 November 2023 
 
 
Application Stages 
The Trainee Finder team will shortlist applicants based on their application, and CV. Applications are first read and scored by at least 2 industry professionals in your chosen department.

Successful applicants will then be invited to take part in an online interview with industry professionals in thier department. 

Candidates can expect to hear from us with an update regarding their application by 5th January 2024.  

All successful applicants must attend a mandatory online induction weekend scheduled for March/April 2024 in preparation for the programme (exact date to be confirmed). 

If unsuccessful in getting to the interview stage, please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, we will be unable to provide individual feedback. 

Written References

If you are called to interview, you must supply written references. Along with your written references, you must include the current contact details of your referees should we need to contact them. 
References can come from current and past employers, colleagues and/or a tutor or mentor. 

They should be no longer than one page of A4 and should include the following: 

• A paragraph or sentence that explains how they know you e.g., are they a colleague, employer or former employer?
• Details of how long the referee has known you
• Having looked at the trainee role that you are applying for, what are the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities they feel are important to highlight to us?
• Any other supporting examples of your skills, accomplishments and/or work that demonstrate that you are a good candidate for the programme
• Current contact details (email and telephone) for the referee so that we can contact them 
  
  

Contact information

Name: Trainee Finder Team
Email: trainee.finder@screenskills.com