Film Minister launches Pinewood apprenticeship scheme

Alastair | 05 Feb 2010, 11:01

image
Pinewood Studios – currently shooting Harry Potter 7 – has opened up a new career path into the film industry. Today the first 10 recruits to the Pinewood Studio Group Apprenticeship Scheme took their first steps to an NVQ Level 2&3 in 2012 when the scheme was launched by departing film minister, Siôn Simon.

At the launch Simon met Sam Healy, one of the ten apprentices, who will be spending the next two years becoming a drapesman – a specialist role with responsibility for all the fabrics and soft furnishings on the film set.

Pinewood’s scheme, with the local Amersham and Wycombe College providing the academic element, is part of a Creative Britain commitment by the creative industries to offer 5,000 apprenticeships a year by 2013.

Commitments so far amount to 1,400 places, with another 475 currently underway. A dozen of these are Set Craft Apprentices on an existing joint Skillset/Pinewood scheme now into its second year. The Set Craft Apprentices have been working on productions including Harry Potter, James Bond, Batman and the forthcoming John Carter of Mars.

Last month the influential House of Lords Communications Committee made a series of recommendations on boosting the range, depth and relevance of training and skills for the UK film and television industries.

Siôn Simon said, ‘the film industry can be incredibly tough to break into, but Pinewood’s apprenticeship scheme is a welcome route into this exciting and highly creative industry. Sam and the other apprentices I met today are employed for their ability and potential, and I am sure they will do extremely well. Pinewood Studios is working hard to address any skills gaps while providing a great start for some enthusiastic young people.’