ScreenSkills in the Nations: Spotlight on Northern Ireland

You can’t make great film and TV without investing in the people. That's why our Skills Funds work closely with industry across the UK to deliver training, resources, and opportunities to crew in the Nations and regions.

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 ScreenSkills support and activity in Northern Ireland.

High-end TV

Last year the HETV Skills Fund gathered with industry in Belfast to celebrate 10 years of working together to deliver training & support for HETV crew & productions in Northern Ireland. Over the decade almost 4,000 people in NI have been supported by the ScreenSkills HETV Fund.

Mairead Kelly is ScreenSkills’ Training Liaison Manager, Northern Ireland, and connects freelancers across the nation with ScreenSkills-funded training and development programmes. Mairead breaks down how the ScreenSkills HETV Skills Fund invests its funding via the dedicated NI HETV Working Group:

"What makes ScreenSkills so special is Industry decides how funding is invested. This is done via Working Groups. The Northern Ireland HETV Working Group is made up of nine talented members of industry here and is chaired by the dedicated Louise Gallagher. Working Group members give up their time to shape skills programmes that are impactful, inclusive and responsive to industry needs."

HETV productions and programmes in Northern Ireland

Since 2020, the HETV Skills Fund has supported 23 contributing HETV productions filmed in Northern Ireland, including the BBC and Two Cities production, Blue Lights, Hat Trick Production's Breathtaking, Wreck by Euston Films, Mammoth Screen's Tom Jones and World on Fire, Lift by Netflix and many more.

Contributions from productions like these help the Fund invest in growing the workforce and supporting crew at all levels progress within the industry. Since 2020, 55 candidates from Northern Ireland have taken part in the Fund's landmark new entrant initiative, Trainee Finder, one example of the programme's supported by the Fund.

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A further 13 candidates secured placements on the Fund's progression initiative, Make A Move, and four from the nation have become Leaders of Tomorrow on the Fund's three-year programme that provides bespoke support to mid-level freelancers ready to move into a senior role.

For those curious about a possible career in the screen industries, there was a Schools Roadshow supported by the HETV Skills Fund and led by CineMagic across eight schools in Northern Ireland. 

Launched in December at Slemish College in Ballymena, these sessions connected students with industry pros like Adam Wilkinson, exploring diverse careers in HETV.

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Film in Northern Ireland

Since 2020, the ScreenSkills new entrant Trainee  Finder programme has supported nearly 60 people from Northern Ireland, like Cara, in becoming trainees in film & HETV. By joining an industry-recognised group, they become 'set ready' through departmental training & essential freelancer skills.

Cara Dorman was one such trainee, receiving a place on the programme and production office placement: "I applied for ScreenSkills Trainee Finder as I was struggling to find industry work after graduating film school. Thanks to the programme, I am now working as a production office production assistant at an incredible studio on a major feature film, working alongside some of the best names in the industry. ScreenSkills has fast-tracked the trajectory of my career in film and I couldn’t be happier with the training seminars and opportunities they provide to increase our employability for future projects. I even feel much more confident in my own ability to find work after the programme is over!"

The Film Skills Fund partnered with NFTS Leeds to train 10 aspiring film location marshall trainees in Belfast, like David Anderson and Bernadette McCarthy, who are breaking into the film industry. The training equips candidates with essential skills to kickstart an exciting career in film locations.

David said: “Overall the training was excellent. Right from the start, from my first zoom meeting to the very last day, everything and everyone was brilliant. The training and trainers can be described in one word, awesome. I was so glad to be chosen for this course. I’ve learned an awful lot. The amount of time and effort that goes into Locations, the different responsibilities and the names of the equipment. I found that very useful.”

Bernadette added: "The training was effective and gave me a great insight into the complexity and commitment required for locations, not to mention the informal nature and networking associated with the industry which is totally understandable.  Overall, I thought the course was excellent and it is up to us all as individuals to seek opportunities and build our reputations in the industry."

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The relationship that the Film Skills Fund shares with industry is vital in developing the workforce, ensuring the training meets the needs of the sector and candidates are able to receive the vital on-set experience that proves essential in providing pathways to career progress.

Chris Patterson, film producer, Causeway Pictures, and ScreenSkills Film Skills Council member: "As an Independent Film Producer and member of the ScreenSkills Council, ScreenSkills is instrumental in creating a secure pathway to employment, benefiting not only newcomers but also facilitating the continuous upskilling of current freelancers. Northern Ireland stands at the forefront of attracting major global productions, and with the continued support of ScreenSkills, our local crews are empowered to compete and collaborate on an international stage."

In a similar fashion, the Animation Skills Fund works hand in hand with industry to ensure investment is tailored to the demands of the sector and training helps build a sustainable workforce across Northern Ireland.

Gavin Halpin Managing Director, Paper Owl Films, and ScreenSkills Animation Skills Council member: “I’m really pleased to join the Animation Skills Council and help shape how we support and develop the workforce. We’ve got some incredible talent in Northern Ireland and it’s important that the decisions and investments we make through the Fund help further grow the sector to create a fully skilled and industry ready creatives.”