The aim of the brand new Production Co-ordinator Training Programme is to train up 50 trainee production co-ordinators over the next 18 months in some of the UK’s major cities including London, Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff and Glasgow.

The programme is the industry’s response to an ongoing shortage of production co-ordinators across the country and is open to those wishing to pursue a career in production management. It is suitable for runners, assistants, production assistants and production management assistants.

The new training programme will take the successful applicants to a ten-day boot camp of practical workshops which will give them an overview of the industry. This includes live, documentary, drama, entertainment, features, studio and location filming.

The training will cover key disciplines including budgeting and negotiating, rights, paperwork, reporting, setting up filming and setting up a studio. The workshops and masterclasses will be taught by the best in the industry and will lead to an industry-wide Creative Skillset accreditation. In addition, learning will be enhanced with delegates receiving on demand advice from a mentor for 12 of the 18 month scheme.

This competitive and heavily subsidised new programme will cost delegates and/or their employers a sum of £150. Training will be provided by the BBC Academy, Creative Skillset, the Indie Training Fund, ITV Studios, the PMA and the Unit List. The scheme is powered by the Creative Skillset TV Skills Fund which is supported by the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

Joe Godwin, Director of the BBC Academy, said: “The shortage of production co-ordinators has had a direct impact on the number of production managers in the television industry, so I’m pleased that some of the biggest players in the industry are pulling together to produce this scheme. Too often new recruits don’t know about the brilliant careers available in production management and it was time for something to be done about it. Production coordinators need training – and they need good quality training. This programme will give them the very best grounding to kick-start a career in production management.”

Seetha Kumar, CEO of Creative Skillset, added: “This new programme is a direct response to industry demand. For too long broadcasters and indies across the country have been citing a worrying shortage of production co-ordinators. We hope this training programme will put an end to that. We are delighted to be working with all the key players to provide the best in class training and an industry accreditation.”

Nan Whittingham, Director of Production and Programme Management at Channel 5, said: “Production management is the air traffic control of television. It is critical. And I’m pleased that the industry have come together to attract new talent into production management and give them the best training possible. Careers in production management are exciting and fulfilling – we need to get out there and make sure we get that message across to those joining TV. Channel 5 is pleased to be joining with the BBC and Channel 4 to fund and support this Creative Skillset programme.”