Working in TV and film is a long-held ambition for many, but breaking into such a highly competitive industry can be difficult. It is an unpredictable sector with many workers employed as freelance contractors, so some may wonder how possible it is to get a foot in the door and build a successful career.
A partnership between Buckinghamshire Council, Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) and local training providers is here to help. Skills Bootcamps are intensive training programmes designed to equip employees with the skills they need for a particular job, whether it be in agriculture, digital skills, engineering, construction, or the creative industries.
Buckinghamshire is box office
These initiatives are crucial, especially for the creative sector, which plays a pivotal role in Buckinghamshire’s economic landscape. With 75% of the UK’s film and TV employment concentrated in the area to the west of London, Buckinghamshire stands as a central hub for the creative industries.
In 2022, global box office takings totalled $3.4 billion, with 16% of that coming from British-made films, more than half of which were made in Buckinghamshire. This underscores the importance of nurturing talent and skills within this vibrant sector to ensure its continued growth and success.
A good example of a company delivering Bootcamps in the county is Chesham-based All Spring Media, which provides people with specialist skills for some of the biggest players in the film and TV industry such as Sky, Netflix and Disney.
The award-winning company is running five different Bootcamps for Production Managers, Visual Effects (VFX) Managers, Production Coordinators, Third Assistant Directors, and Location Managers.
Delivering expert training
This training is free to the individual and delivered by industry experts, with learners benefiting from their in-depth experience and insights into the industry.
Following the training, learners receive employability support in the form of one-to-one coaching, interview practice and CV writing before being added to the company’s talent pool, All Spring Talent, from which they are notified of exciting career opportunities.
Peter Mills, who recently attended an All Spring Media Bootcamp, says: “I completed a two-week training course focused on upskilling from a runner to a Third Assistant Director and it was outstanding.
“The course was delivered in well-structured and easy-to-digest chunks which made learning both engaging and enjoyable. As a wheelchair user, I was especially grateful for the thoughtful attention given to accessibility. Every need was met without issue, and it was clear inclusivity was a priority.
“It was also a lot of fun and reinvigorated my passion for the industry. I was left feeling well-prepared and excited for the next steps in my career and I would highly recommend the team at All Spring Media to anyone looking to advance in the industry.”
Filling skills gaps
The Bootcamps are a response to skills gaps identified by BBF as the Employer Representative Body for Buckinghamshire. They are designed to be flexible so employees can juggle their studies with work commitments.
They are also good value for employers thanks to Department for Education (DfE) funding via Buckinghamshire Council, with SMEs paying just 10% of the cost, rising to 30% for larger companies, meaning training costs can be radically cut.
BBF is managing the Bootcamp contract on behalf of the council and is facilitating the Film & TV Sector Employer Group for the county through the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).
John Browning, Workforce Skills Manager at Buckinghamshire Business First, explains: “Supporting jobs in the creative industries in Buckinghamshire is not just beneficial, it's essential for the region's economic vitality and cultural richness.
“Through the Local Skills Improvement Plan, BBF identified a critical need for local Bootcamps. This initiative is crucial for maintaining the competitive edge of our creative industries and for fostering innovation and growth.
“All Spring Media provides an essential service and, thanks to initiatives such as the Bootcamps, its success rate in training and matching talented individuals with employment is fantastic.”
Dedication to supporting talent
Martina Porter, Managing Director of All Spring Media, says: “The Skills Bootcamps fit into our ethos because we are dedicated to supporting talent and diversity in the film and television sector.
“They give us the opportunity to both train and help people land jobs within the industry, which can be very complex to get into, especially if you don't have the right connections.
“Virtually everyone at All Spring Media has a background in the industry and we use those links to help people not just enter the industry but continue to progress inside it.”
All Spring Media has been running Bootcamps for the last 15 months and has delivered 250 to date with the support of BBF and Buckinghamshire Council. The outcomes have been encouraging, with 50% of attendees finding work with major companies compared to the 37% average for freelancers picking up new skills.
Achieving a positive impact
Martina is also keen to stress the importance of the support from Buckinghamshire Business First and Buckinghamshire council. She says: “The team in Buckinghamshire have been incredibly supportive. We've delivered apprenticeships and other training programmes previously, but this is the first one where we can see a tangible impact,” says Martina.
“They work very well for a freelance industry that is not known for its commitment to the continuing professional development of staff. The fact that we can train them and make them aware of the support and resources available to do their job effectively is really important.”
Learn more about Skills Bootcamps
Further details on Skills Bootcamps can be seen here.
To speak to a member of the BBF Workforce Skills Team about Skills Bootcamps, email [email protected] or call 01494 927130.