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Read the HETV annual workforce research
The HETV Skills Fund’s annual research highlights an urgent need to support mid-level crew as freelancers face growing instability, financial pressures mount and hiring patterns shift across the industry. The findings were drawn from 71 survey responses and 50 in-depth interviews conducted between October 2024 and January 2025 with line producers, heads of production, production managers and producers across the UK.
The HETV Skills Fund plays a vital role in supporting the industry through workforce development, training, and career progression initiatives. Funded by voluntary contributions from productions benefiting from the UK high-end TV tax relief, the Skills Fund directly addresses skills shortages and gaps, ensuring a steady pipeline of talent.
While the overall picture of employment remains relatively positive - with 79% of respondents reporting it was “ok”, “easy” or “very easy” to find work - the number who found work “hard” or “very hard” more than doubled to 21%, compared with just 9% the year before. Respondents also reported that work has become harder to secure in their preferred genres.
Kaye Elliott, Director of High-end Television at ScreenSkills, said: “This year’s research provides critical insight into the reality of the production landscape across the UK. It’s encouraging to see that some skills shortages and gaps are easing slightly, but it’s clear that more support is needed at mid-level - where people are stepping up fast, often without structured support, and experienced freelancers are under increased pressure. This is where the HETV Skills Fund will focus - backing mid-level talent, enabling career development and protecting the achievements we have made in diversity and inclusion. The Fund is committed to investing where it will make the biggest difference to the future strength and resilience of the UK’s high-end TV workforce.”
As hiring patterns shift, there is a growing need to support those in the middle of their careers. More experienced freelancers are actively seeking work, while newer crew are stepping up rapidly, sometimes without the depth of experience required. This dual pressure is creating a ‘pinch point’ at mid-level - where investment in progression, mentoring and step-up opportunities is now most needed.
Financial vulnerability is increasing, with 72% of independent production companies reporting concerns that put them at risk of closure (Source: Indielab Voice Survey, May 2024). HETV budgets continue to shrink, with fewer large-scale productions and greater pressure on funding models. Freelancers also reported increased instability, with some leaving the industry permanently.
The research found that while the skills shortage is easing - with only 13% rating it as “serious” or “very serious”, down from 52% the year before - the skills gap remains a pressing concern. More than a third (34%) said crew lack the rounded experience needed to deliver effectively in smaller teams and tighter schedules, though this too has improved since last year.
Production accountants remain one of the hardest roles to fill, affecting the entire production pipeline. Other hard-to-fill roles include production secretaries, APOCs, standby art directors, electricians and costume designers.
Emerging roles include access coordinators, welfare coordinators, intimacy coordinators and sustainability specialists - showing how rapidly production needs are evolving.
Respondents raised concerns about crew being promoted too quickly, leading to inflated CVs and gaps in experience. At the same time, more senior crew are actively looking for work, shifting the challenge away from entry-level hiring to mid-career development.
Diversity and inclusion were also flagged as areas at risk. With fewer roles available, there are fears that hiring opportunities for under-represented groups will diminish - undoing hard-won progress.
There is a growing appetite for a more centralised training and funding resource as well as calls for better safety nets for freelancers - including a potential industry-wide insurance scheme.
Virtual production continues to grow, particularly in higher-budget shows, but the research found that lack of understanding among editorial teams sometimes led to creative misunderstandings or cost overruns. Targeted training for creative leaders was recommended to help maximise its value.
The research findings are being used to inform the HETV Skills Fund’s 2025/26 strategy and priorities, including targeted interventions to support mid-level professionals, address skills gaps and respond to the evolving needs of the UK’s high-end TV sector.
In 2021, the HETV Skills Fund built up a reserve due to the unexpected increase in UK high-end TV production, which led to production contributions more than doubling in just 12 months. Over the past four years, this reserve has enabled the HETV Council to increase the Fund’s annual delivery budget beyond yearly contributions, supporting expanded working group activity and additional training and support for the UK freelance workforce. The reserve has now been fully allocated, and the Fund will return to delivering an annual investment budget based solely on production contributions.
The Fund continues to benefit from a committed industry that recognises the value of collective investment, with contribution levels remaining strong. However, some programmes have been scaled back in the new financial year to reflect the funding available.
“Based on this year’s research, the HETV Skills Fund will focus support where it’s most needed - on mid-level professionals and protecting progress on diversity and inclusion in high-end television across the UK. We are fortunate to have a committed industry that recognises the value of collective investment,” added Barry Ryan, Chair of the High-end TV Skills Council and Head of Production for The Ink Factory. “Now that the Fund has returned to its normal funding model following a period of exceptional investment, I’m confident that, with the support of the Skills Council and working groups, we will continue to commission high-quality training and development programmes that help ensure the UK remains the destination of choice for high-end TV production and continues to play a significant role in the growth of the screen sector.”