Between February 2022 and January 2024, a flexi-job apprenticeship agency (FJAA) pilot programme was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an agency-based apprenticeship model in the project-based film and TV production sector.
According to Laura Mansfield, CEO of ScreenSkills, the pilot was successful, demonstrating that apprenticeships could serve as a credible career pathway for candidates from diverse backgrounds. Notably, 85% of apprentices passed their End Point Assessments (EPA), and by the end of the programme, 76% had secured further employment in the industry.
The project was co-funded by the Department for Education in its first year and supported by Prime Video, Sky with APX Content Ventures, Banijay, Lime Pictures, and Fremantle. The apprenticeships enabled participants to gain significant experience across multiple companies and productions, facilitating further employment opportunities. These apprentices secured contracts with Banijay, Fremantle, Lime Pictures, and 19 other production companies, including Hat Trick, ITN, Mindhouse, Molinare, and Studio Lambert.
Feedback from apprentices indicated substantial personal development; 90% reported improved communication skills, and 85% felt better prepared for employment. A majority also noted enhanced confidence and teamwork abilities. Three quarters of the apprentices stated they would recommend an apprenticeship in the screen industries.
Bella Lambourne, Director of Human Resources and Operations at Banijay, mentioned that the training provided enabled apprentices to elevate their skills and, in some cases, build entirely new careers. She emphasised that apprenticeships need to be adaptable to the creative industries, a goal achieved with the support of ScreenSkills.
However, the pilot did identify areas for improvement. It was noted that the flexi-job apprenticeship agency model is expensive, with partners incurring additional costs in areas such as apprentice wages during leave and training, recruitment, and internal coordination. Moreover, there is a need to improve apprenticeship standards and the end point assessment process to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of the training.
ScreenSkills remains committed to advancing the apprenticeship model and stands in support of the Government’s proposal for a Growth and Skills Levy. Laura Mansfield concluded that this would unlock greater potential for investment in skills and training across the industry, thereby increasing the affordability and uptake of apprenticeships, which could further improve workforce diversity and address skill shortages.
The pilot programme underscores the potential of flexi-job apprenticeships as a viable career pathway in the UK’s creative sector while highlighting areas for cost optimisation and standard improvements.