Production secretary training programme for unscripted TV

Production management offers an exciting career path in TV and high levels of employability. The production secretary holds a dynamic and interesting entry-level role which requires key skills and industry training.

This programme has been created for individuals in the early stages of their career who are ready to take the next step and focus on developing a career in production management in unscripted television exclusively.

Successful applicants will receive:

• Seven days of intensive fast track training delivered online by the BBC Academy and industry experts. This training will provide a comprehensive overview of the production secretary role in unscripted television, including working on documentaries, entertainment, live studio and location filming
• Three months paid work placement in an independent production company
• Industry networking event on the final evening of training

ScreenSkills will match participants on placements. 

Application deadline is Friday 14 January 2022 with training due to take place 7 – 15 March 2022. 

Who it's for

This programme is for individuals with a strong interest in production management who are at the beginning of their career in unscripted television. 

It is an opportunity for those with no more than a year’s experience, who are already working in, or are keen to work in unscripted television, and are ready to take the next step and focus on developing a career in production management. 

This is not an opportunity to work in scripted television or to develop an editorial career as a researcher, assistant producer or producer-director.

Please note this application is open to people based across the UK. Placements will be secured for those selected based on their current location.

What it covers

This fast-track intensive training delivered by industry experts will cover:

• budgeting and scheduling
• setting up locations shoots in UK and rest of world
• planning and setting up a studio shoot
  leadership
• mental health awareness
• health and safety
• negotiation skills
• post-production workflow
• rights and clearances
• key production paperwork
• technical kit and technology

Unique to the industry, this programme also offers a three month, individually matched paid work placement to consolidate the training. This bespoke opportunity ensures that all successful candidates are ready to step into a role as a production secretary on completion of the programme.

How to apply

Click the 'Apply now' button above. You will need to create and be logged into your ScreenSkills profile.

• Delegates will be selected using a blind process and will only be judged on their answers to the application form questions.
• For the initial selection, CVs will not be looked at, so please make the answers in your application as full and reflective of your skills and experience as possible.
• Please upload an up-to-date CV – this will be referred to if shortlisted for interview.

In order to apply you should meet the following criteria:

• You must have a demonstrable interest in and passion for unscripted TV
• An understanding of the role of a Production Secretary and a clear sense of where you’d like your career in production management to take you 
• Between a month and a year’s experience working in TV – employed or as part of work experience placements
• You must want to pursue a career specifically in production management in unscripted television. This is not an opportunity work in scripted television or to develop an editorial career as a researcher, assistant producer or producer-director.
• You must have proven organisational, team working and scheduling skills, please outline this experience in your application
• You must be able to attend all seven days of training
• You must be able to work on a three month (paid) placement local to you
• You must have the right to work in the UK
• You are able to attend an interview online on one of Monday 14th, Tuesday 15th or Wednesday 16th February 2022

This programme is supported by the ScreenSkills Television Skills Fund which invests in training for the freelance television workforce thanks to contributions from the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5.