International TV and Film productions on board to train next generation of crew in Wales
A groundbreaking Apprenticeship programme called CRIW (Welsh for ‘Crew’) has launched by Sgil Cymru. It offers young people from across Wales a chance to get hands-on experience in the world of television and film production. As freelance work is at the centre of the industry, the scheme has been created especially to reflect its dynamic, flexible nature. Apprentices will spend a year immersed across the departments of not just one, but a variety of productions that are shooting, alongside world-class professionals.
What else does the programme involve?
Successful applicants of CRIW will also gain a Level 3 qualification in Creative and Digital Media, whilst earning a salary to support their learning, backed by Welsh Government and Cardiff and Vale College.
Sue Jeffries, Managing Director of Sgil Cymru said
“At Sgil Cymru, we have been working on this groundbreaking scheme with the general media sector and Cardiff and Vale College for some time. We feel we have developed the winning formula of a leading qualification delivered over 12 months with apprentices working and moving around from production to production, which is reflective of working as a freelancer in the industry.
2021 is promising to be a busy year for Wales as far as TV and film production goes, and being able to provide placements for 10 new people to help deliver on that promise, is a really exciting opportunity for Sgil Cymru, productions and Apprentices.”
What have previous apprentices thought of the scheme?
A successful pilot scheme for CRIW ran in 2020 and placed apprentices within the team creating the brand new international television adaptation of War of the Worlds, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Gabriel Byrne. Three Apprentices made their impressive first foray into the industry, working on set for a host of departments including Production, Assistant Director and Props for the hit Fox TV drama. Tom May, Jake Hatcher and Josh Legge have each benefited greatly from the experience and have just completed a placement with Vox Pictures on their new drama production for S4C.
Jake, aged 19 from Penarth, said
“Getting onto this Apprenticeship has given me a great opportunity to start a job which I can continue in the future. After speaking to lots of people on the production, it’s made me realise how lucky I am to be on the scheme and to be starting out a career at this age.”
Josh, aged 20 from Cwmbran, added
“I’ve always wanted to be part of the Assistant Directing team and thanks to the apprenticeship scheme, I’ve finally had that opportunity and I couldn’t be more grateful for it.”
Adam Knopf, Head of Production on War of the Worlds, said
“The Apprenticeship scheme offered by Sgil Cymru is so important as it allows for a group of Wales-based entry-level candidates to break into the industry and achieve their first credits. The ability to hire Apprentices on a short and fixed term basis means that the candidates are able to work on productions of almost any length and move between production much like they would in the freelance job market. The three candidates that came to us were real assets and valuable members of the teams they joined. They were all keen, positive and hard working and would all be considered for roles on our future productions.”
Former Sgil Cymru apprentices have also worked on shows such as His Dark Materials, Peaky Blinders and Casualty.
How can I apply?
Applications for CRIW are open now for those aged 16 and over who are based in Wales with a keen interest in working in roles behind-the-scenes of film and TV productions. Applications close Monday 25 January 2021 at Midday and successful applicants begin their 12 month programme from Monday 22 February 2021. You can find out more and apply for the scheme here.
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