Create Central’s Skills Accelerator launches in Coventry
26 January 2024
Create Central is one of six UK BFI Skills Clusters working together to address the acute skills shortages in the screen sector and to make the sector more accessible and representative. Our Skills Accelerator programme is developed by local industry based on current market-need in the West Midlands, with support from Create Central Members and industry partners like the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, YouTube, Kudos, Shine and many more.
This week in Coventry, at the Belgrade Theatre, we launched three new FREE training courses, with the support of the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, and with additional funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Award winning writer and director of global hit the NATIVITY franchise, Create Central Board Member Debbie Isitt officially launched the Skills Accelerator in front of a crowd of potential participants in her hometown of Coventry.
“I was thrilled to help launch this great programme here in Coventry. Now we have funding from the BFI and the West Midlands Combined Authority these exciting new FREE courses will help unearth and support local talent in the West Midlands. We need more skilled talent to join our industry especially in TV and film and it was amazing to see so many people at the event from all walks of life. The opportunity to work in TV and film should be open to anyone and it is our mission at Create Central to ensure these opportunities are accessible and supported. This new initiative is exactly what we need. If you have talent, passion and drive - we need you!”
Potential new entrants to the TV & Film industry hear from the inspirational Debbie Isitt
Guests at the free event had the opportunity to hear from Create Central bootcamp alumni, potential employers and training providers, followed by the chance to network and ask further questions about the courses.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, said: “It’s good news that the West Midlands Combined Authority is providing additional funding of nearly £1.5million towards the launch of this innovative Create Central Skills Accelerator - the first of its kind in the industry.
“Through our Plan for Growth, we’ve identified the creative sector as a real priority and source of tremendous potential.
“With the likes of MasterChef and Silent Witness set to be filmed in our region, we can see there are exciting times ahead. This innovative programme will support local people and help them to start their career and make progress in the production sector in various roles - opening up opportunities in the process for groups that are historically underrepresented in this sector. I cannot wait to see lives changed for the better thanks to this.”
Create Central's Skills Accelerator courses are open for applications now! But don’t worry if now is not the right time for you, these three new courses will be running over the next two years, make sure you follow Create Central on Instagram, X or LinkedIn to keep up to date and find out how you can start your career in TV & Film, or take it to the next level.
Panelists Emma Riley, Bhulla Beghal, Simone Radway and Emma Breed, shared their experiences of Create Central bootcamps from an employer and from a ‘camper perspective with host Nikki Tapper