dock10 is aiming to help those who wish to move into TV studio production with the launch of a new training scheme.
The inhouse training scheme is for craft talent who could fill the UK TV’s industry skills gap in production.
As part of the initiative, dock10 has recently begun training two camera assistants and two sound assistants. All four are learning on-the-job as part of the sound and camera teams on the studio floor, building up the skills and relationships needed to succeed in television.
By the end of the 18-month training period, each of the trainees will be able to operate as freelancers at dock10 or other companies.
The four current trainees – camera assistants Amy Ashley-Mather and Dylan Patel and sound assistants Matthew Clarkson and Madeleine Jones – were selected following a recruitment process that dock10 said drew hundreds of applications.
The studio previously ran a successful pilot initiative for two entry level sound assistants – Conor McKeown and Dom Lawson – over 18 months. Both graduates of the pilot scheme are now regularly working at dock10 and within the industry.
“This training scheme is a way of seeding the freelancers of the future,” said dock10 head of studios Andy Waters. “It’s a very hands-on scheme which gives the trainees the experience of working in a studio environment and getting involved on many shows.
“Our industry is going to have some problems in the future unless we train up the new generation,” added Waters. “We’d love for other companies to get on board with this idea and hope it may become a model for others if it is appropriate for them to use.”
