The region’s independent TV sector is calling on creative talent from across the West Midlands to join an innovative new skills bootcamp.
Solihull College & University Centre is working with the West Midlands Combined Authority and Create Central to help the region’s screen industry discover new talent, or to encourage people from other careers to switch to the TV industry.
The free bootcamp will consist of an intensive month long programme and a two-week real-to-life work placement in one of the region’s top TV companies for people who have the drive and commitment to work as production co-ordinators, researchers or runners in the TV sector.
The WMCA is expecting to see 29,000 new, highly skilled jobs in the region’s digital and creative industries by 2030. Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The creative industries are the fastest growing sector of the UK economy and are worth over £1 billion. We are ensuring people in the West Midlands have the right skills and talent to meet this increased demand.”
“This pilot bootcamp shows we are delivering on the promises we made at the launch of Create Central, when we pledged up to £500,000 to train more people for jobs in the film, TV and games sectors.”
Independent TV companies from across the region are involved in the first bootcamp, including Wonder, Full Fat and the sector’s largest employer, North One.
Lisa Cleaver, Head of School for Visual Performing Arts and Media at the College, said: “We are delighted to be working with the WMCA and Create Central on this exciting project. It gives us the opportunity to work alongside industry to develop meaningful training which directly prepares people for the realities of a career in the screen industry. Every aspect of this programme is being co-designed and delivered with the industry, it is set to be an engaging and exciting programme.”
For more information about the free pilot bootcamp and to apply, please visit https://www.solihull.ac.uk/create-central-bootcamps/. The closing date for applications is 3rd January 2021.
Photos by Jemma Kinzett, Daniel Charlton, Samantha Elston.
