ScreenSkills is committed to supporting the screen workforce across the UK. A range of training programmes, events, courses and opportunities are made available to those looking to start or progress within their career, investing in the development of the industry’s talent.
We’re taking a closer look at some of the investments made in the nations and the training put in place to help develop the area’s workforce. This month we’re focusing on the stories of some of those supported by ScreenSkills training and activity in Wales.
Support in Wales: High-end TV Skills Fund
From new entrants to those taking new steps in their screen career journeys, the HETV Skills Fund has supported Welsh candidates at every level find opportunities to further their journeys within the industry.
First Break is a pre-new entrant inclusivity programme which aims to de-mystify entry into the TV industry for individuals who otherwise would most likely never consider the industry is open as a career path to them.
The programme works with broadcasters, production companies and local partners to encourage, nurture and support individuals to explore a career in TV, giving them the initial tools, knowledge and taster experiences of working in the industry.
Callum Flynn kickstarted his HETV career with a placement on an upcoming six-part thriller through the initiative. He shared how the programme provided a major confidence boost and valuable industry connections, leading to an internship with Rondo Media.
“The highlight for me was getting to see first-hand how television is created and how each department comes together to make a scene. The scheme has helped me tremendously and given me greater confidence in myself and my abilities as a filmmaker. The contacts I gained through this job brought to my attention an internship with Rondo Media, and I believe First Break gave me the confidence to apply successfully!”
Hair and make-up artist Rebecca Hainsworth had been honing her craft for 16 years before discovering the Fund’s flagship new entrant programme, Trainee Finder. It provides candidates with paid production placements alongside tailored training and networking opportunities. With the support of the programme and the Fund’s set-ready training, she took her first steps into HMU for film and TV, eventually working on Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special.
“I have been in the hair industry for 16 years. Without discovering my initial placement through Trainee Finder, I wouldn’t have known where to begin in hair and make-up in film and TV. My Trainee Finder experience has been outstanding: the ongoing support, communication, education and opportunities. From the day of initial interviews and our induction, my experience has always been very positive and friendly. I think what I have found most useful was the ongoing training, such as how to write a trainee CV and meeting designers, via Zoom, who would tell us about on-set etiquette and industry ‘do’s and don’ts’. I am now on my seventh paid production, with four of these having been through ScreenSkills.”
The Fund’s Hair and Make-up transfer programme was designed to support professionals skilled in working with make-up for a diversity of skin tones and textured hair, to transfer into roles working in the high-end television industry in Wales.
With specialist training from Afro Hair Academy Wales, the course provides vital experience and industry connections needed to succeed in hair and make-up roles behind the camera in HETV.
We spoke to academy director and course leader Joy Djadi about their experience delivering the programme. “I recently had the opportunity to deliver a Hair & Makeup Transfer Programme in Wales. Funded by the HETV Skills Fund, the programme aimed to support experienced hair and make-up professionals, skilled in working with make-up for deeper skin tones and textured hair, to transfer into the UK television industry. The support from the HETV Skills Fund provided access to resources, industry insights, and a structured framework that enriched the training experience. Delivering this programme has been such a rewarding experience: participants expressed increased confidence in their abilities, and several have already begun securing industry opportunities and paid placements! It was inspiring to watch the individuals grow.”
Last year, the HETV Skills Fund commissioned ReelTime Media to support 28 new job share pairs on UK productions contributing to the Fund. The programme provided training, ongoing support, and up to £8K per job share to cover handover days during employment. It offers flexibility for those with commitments outside of work and allows them to continue to work in the industry and share their expertise while ensuring they sill have time to commit to their life outside of production.
In Wales, we supported job share pairs behind the camera in the production, set decoration, and costume departments on Wales-based productions Lost Boys and Fairies, Famous Five, and Doctor Who. Michelle Reynolds, Co-Director at ReelTime Media shared her experience of running the programme.
“Running the ScreenSkills HETV Job-sharing programme has been a massive privilege as I can see it is making a tangible actual difference to keeping brilliant, experienced and diverse talent in the industry. We have been thrilled to see productions in Wales really embrace job-sharing as they understand the benefits that two creative brains bring to their teams.”
Support in Wales: Unscripted TV Skills Fund
Since 2021, the Unscripted TV Skills Fund (USF) has been investing in support for the UK unscripted TV industry. One part of this is through the Fund’s Contestable Fund - providing minority funding support for third-party training such as the It’s My Shout New Voices from Wales 2025 programme.
Anna Arrieta, Head of Projects & Development, It’s My Shout, said: “Thanks to the Unscripted TV Contestable Fund, It's My Shout Productions CIC is proud to offer development opportunities for Welsh documentary makers. Our initiative, New Voices from Wales 2025, aims to amplify the diverse stories of people across Wales through compelling documentary storytelling. We are very fortunate to have support from ScreenSkills, allowing us to collaborate and introduce new Welsh talent to the dynamic world of documentary filmmaking.”
Support in Wales: Children’s TV Skills Fund
The Children’s TV Skills Fund's Make A Move programme was developed to help mid-level professionals take the next step I their screen careers. It supports on-the-job training for crew members ready to step into senior roles through production job-shadowing and mentoring opportunities. In Wales, Mojo TV MD and producer Llyr Morus shares how they used MaM funding to support 3 new Welsh-speaking directors on their crew for Gwyliau.
“Support from initiatives such as Make a Move are fantastic and essential for the future of the industry. Being in a position to offer opportunities to new directors on Mojo Productions’ newest children’s television production ‘Gwyliau’ for S4C Cyw has been truly amazing. We have seen three new directors be given the opportunity to flourish and develop, all thanks to the support of this fantastic ScreenSkills initiative. Being able to offer this development opportunity on a Welsh language project in Wales has been great and will help safeguard the future of the industry. It would not have been possible without the financial support of ScreenSkills’ Make a Move. Long may it continue.”