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Bursaries from the High-end TV Skills Fund can cover the cost of whatever you need to advance your career, from training courses to vital equipment
For over a decade, the High-end TV Skills Fund has been committed to supporting the UK workforce by investing in training tailored to those at every stage of their screen career.
In addition to training initiatives, inclusive access opportunities, on-the-job placements and industry-guided learning, the Fund has developed a range of bursaries to help remove some of the fi nancial obstacles to career progression. These cash grants serve as an example of the Fund’s commitment to improving the accessibility of the industry and can be used for a range of training, equipment and travel purposes.
Kaye Elliott, Director of High-end Television, ScreenSkills, says: “We all know that money can become a huge barrier within our industry. The Fund has a demonstrable record of opening doors and providing pathways that aim to ensure everyone has the chance to succeed in this industry. By removing some of that financial burden, these bursaries allow people to take part in bespoke training programmes, purchase that vital bit of kit, pay for driving lessons or support access requirements that can really help them make that next step on their journey.”
Tying certain bursaries to specific roles allows the Fund to focus on areas highlighted by the industry as of most need. These decisions are made by Working Groups comprised of industry decision makers working in HETV.
Electrical training bursaries are open to practicing professionals in the lighting department, to put towards the cost of approved courses and recommended qualifi cations. A Post and VFX bursary initiative offers successful applicants up to £5,000 to cover the costs of everything from training and mentoring to travel and accommodation expenses.
Tom Kimber is one of those who successfully applied, using the money to advance his career by taking part in a short course at Escape Studios. He says: “The HETV Post & VFX bursary is going to fund my place on the VFX Producing short course at Escape Studios. This will hopefully allow me to dust off any cobwebs and learn new skills.”
“The bursary was a life-saver. I was just about to plunge myself into debt and I now have equipment I will be able to use for the next 10 years”
Lucy Watt
For Dubbing Mixer/Sound Editor Lucy Watt, the bursary came at just the right time: “It was a life saver. Having lost my staff job earlier in the year – down to the challenging times the industry has endured – I was faced with the prospect of being freelance and having to work with what little kit I had. Often bursaries and grants aren’t available to those with experience, so I was just about to plunge myself into debt when I saw this bursary. I now have equipment I will be able to use for the next 10 years.”
This year, the Fund supported an access funding initiative for deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent crew, cementing a commitment to accessibility across the production landscape.
Dr Laurence Clark, from partnering disabled-led organisation TripleC, says: “Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent [DDN] crew face numerous barriers to working in HETV – around attitudes, stereotypes and misconceptions, as well as around bureaucracy and long waiting times associated with the government’s Access to Work scheme. This bursary initiative has funded a wide range of support, including equipment, software, training, coaching, aids and driving lessons, which has enabled DDN crew to stay working in the industry.”
In the new year, the Fund is to launch an additional bursary allowance to provide support to those from under-represented groups.
As conversations around access and fi nancial barriers continue within the industry, the HETV Skills Fund aims to ensure that entry, progression and success within HETV will not be determined by the size of a bank account.
