Continuing its strong track record of delivering routes into the film and TV industry Screen NETS is now recruiting for fully funded traineeships in a range of roles.
Backed by Screen Scotland and based at Screen Academy Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University, Screen NETS will recruit ten trainees for work-placed training with high-end TV and feature productions in Scotland.
With plans for new studios in Scotland, the need to maintain and increase the supply of a highly skilled and adaptable work force is greater than ever. Screen NETS will play its part in developing the skills which are key to the sustainability of the industry with three focused pathways for new entrants.
The programme will recruit six trainees in technical, production and design roles plus a new tier for two development trainees delivered in partnership with two of Scotland’s leading companies Blazing Griffin and Freedom Scripted Entertainment. In addition two extra trainees will be recruited later in the year when production levels are high.
Screen NETS has a strong ethos of working to widen access and inclusion. Trainees are paid the living wage with additional contribution to travel and dependent costs. This allows access to the industry to those without the resources to self-finance a career in film and television.
Participants are supported and mentored throughout the programme to ensure they are ready for work, and that productions have access to high quality, well supported trainees.
Working closely with the Industry, Screen NETS is designed and led by Kay Sheridan, who is also Professional Practice Manager at Screen Academy Scotland.
A new Screen NETS Delivery Manager, Catherine Aitken, will work alongside Kay to deliver the technical, production and craft tier of the programme. Catherine has twenty years’ experience in the industry as producer and managing talent development programmes and brings her contacts and professional expertise to the role.
Scott Donaldson, Interim Director at Screen Scotland says:
Screen NETS is an immensely valuable training programme for new entrants to the industry in Scotland, one with a long history of successful alumni. We are committed to providing sustainable career opportunities to those who have previously faced barriers to working in Film and TV and Screen NETS enables us to harness the opportunity that increasing production brings to expand our crew base, in terms of both depth and diversity.
Kay Sheridan, Professional Practice Manager says:
The Film and TV industry’s support is key to achieving what we do with our trainees and we work closely with them to help grow their crew base in Scotland. We are looking forward to starting the new trainees and seeing them shine.
Kal Singh Lally graduate of Screen NETS, Assistant Editor at Outlander said
I was continually challenged and can’t stress enough how much this programme has helped my career. It has broken down so many of the difficult barriers that you first encounter and given me every chance of success, looking back I’m not sure how I would have ever got a fraction of what this program has provided in such a short space of time.
Clare Kerr, Producer at Mead Kerr and Freelance Line Producer of Grandpa’s Great Escape, Shetland series 4 and The Replacement said:
‘ [Screen NETS] … has been an essential part of the ecology of the Scottish screen industry providing newcomers with a supportive path into the industry and helping productions find the talented crew of the future. I’m so pleased that the programme is running again and look forward to meeting and working with the next group of trainees.’
Dr Diane Maclean, Head of Screen and Media at Edinburgh Napier University said:
‘Screen NETS is recognised by the industry and Scottish Government for the work it does in bringing new entrants into the business, and we welcome the opportunity of working with industry to ensure that productions in Scotland grow, and that home grown talent is supported.’
Edinburgh Napier University is one of the UK’s leading higher education institutions. Screen Academy Scotland/Edinburgh Napier is recognised for developing and supporting new and emerging creative and technical talent into to work across the screen industries in the UK and internationally. Films produced by students, alumni and staff have won awards and accolades at film festivals across the world.
Screen NETS 2019 is now recruiting.
For more information please go to http://www.screenacademyscotland.ac.uk/screennets/apply
Deadline to apply 1pm March 12th 2019
Notes to Editors:
About Screen NETS
The Screen NETS Programmes has a legacy of over 30 years of on the job training. It provides paid professional work experience on feature films and TV drama for talented new entrants who want to develop their knowledge, skills and contacts for the film and TV industry in Scotland. We seek to recruit motivated and enthusiastic people who possess the determination to start a freelance career as trainees in a chosen specialism. Trainees are paid the Real Living Wage and a contribution to travel expenses and child care / dependent costs if required.
We are also keen to increase the diversity of the industry by removing barriers for talented people who may be under represented, or who find establishing themselves financially challenging. So we encourage applications from as wide a pool as possible of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
About Screen Scotland
Screen Scotland is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland. With £20 million from Scottish Government and the National Lottery, Screen Scotland is driving the cultural, social and economic development of all aspects of the sector in Scotland, through enhanced funding, services and support. Screen Scotland sits within Creative Scotland and is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, working in close collaboration with the sector to ensure its success.
www.screen.scot @screenscots