TVEUROPE
Channel 4 has launched its new training and development initiative 4Skills, which will supercharge its efforts to seek out and develop talent in the Nations and Regions.
4Skills is a key part of its 4 All the UK vision, focused on finding and nurturing talent from the Nations and Regions with the aim of attracting people into broadcasting and production from diverse backgrounds. 4Skills will address skills gaps and also play a role in progressing the careers of those already in the industry.
4Skills will reach out to people of all ages and from all sorts of backgrounds, including school children, young people wanting to break into broadcasting, those seeking to take their careers in the industry to the next level and people who might never have even thought about working in broadcasting.
Opportunities include apprenticeships across Channel 4 with the first cohorts starting in its Leeds and Manchester bases in early 2021. There’s also a new initiative focused on digital creativity and production that will provide open days, workshops and paid placements in partnership with 4Studio. A schools and college-aged engagement and outreach program will introduce children to careers in the broadcast industry.
Channel 4 will also relaunch of its Production Training Scheme with a 100 percent focus on the Nations and Regions. There will be virtual industry events from Bristol, Glasgow and Leeds for independent production companies providing a mix of commissioner sessions and workshops. Also, bespoke tailored training will address skills gaps in the nations and regions, working with key partners such as the National Film and Television School (NFTS), ScreenSkills, TRC and PACT.
4Skills will provide specific schemes focused on talent development such as the Factual Fast Track scheme in Wales or De Montfort University investigative journalism MA.
Sinead Rocks, Channel 4’s managing director for Nations and Regions, said: “4Skills will transform how Channel 4 delivers its training and development and the type of people who come into the broadcast industry.
“We have a greater presence in the Nations and Regionsthan ever before which enables us to reach out to the communities where we live and work.
“4Skills will enable us to explore previously untapped talent pools and attract people from diverse backgrounds, people who might never have considered a career in broadcasting.”
Jon Wardle, NFTS’s director, commented: “We welcome 4Skills with open arms—it is absolutely vital that we continue to seek out and nurture the next generation of talent in the Nations and Regions.
“At the NFTS we are working harder than ever to identify skills gaps and provide world-class training to match demand. It’s key to the future success of the creative sector that it’s regarded as an industry that offers a career path open to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.”
