12/06/2008

Training organisation Skillset has launched its Film Trainee Scheme. Iain Smith (Chair, Industry Training Board), Roy Button (Director, Warner Brothers Productions) and Janine Marmot (Skillset Director of Film) unveiled the Scheme.

The Scheme will place the best talent on to productions filming in the UK.

Button said, “I’m delighted to be involved in shaping the future of the Skillset Film Trainee Scheme, which provides an excellent new way for trainees and producers to work together with the aim of providing additional production support throughout the industry as well as new skills and experience for newcomers.”

Marmot said, “Skillset is uniquely placed to bring together established industry producers with talented new trainees via this new service. Skillset will continue to unite industry talent at future Skillset Connects events, tailored to industry-specialist needs.”

The programme is part of A Bigger Future strategy – a five-year, £50m plan to raise skill levels in British film - and will be available to productions paying the Skills Investment Fund (SIF).

The SIF, launched in 1999, is a voluntary (except on publicly financed films) tax on productions that are wholly or partially produced in the UK. Following an industry consultation, the levy becomes compulsory from December 2008, with smaller budget productions being exempt.

Smith said, “The move to a mandatory SIF is hugely positive for the UK film production industry. And the launch of this exciting Skillset Film Trainee Scheme is a fantastic benefit for all the productions that pay the SIF. This is another great incentive for foreign productions to choose to film in the UK.”