Applications are now open for the next TV Production Bootcamp, due to start next month, for local people who would like to start a new career as a TV researcher, production co-ordinator or runner.

Create Central – the West Midlands trade body set up to turbo-charge the region’s film, TV and games industries – is working with the West Midlands Combined Authority, which is funding the training, to help the region’s screen industry discover new talent, or to encourage people from other careers to switch to the TV industry.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “In the heart of the UK and the home of TV and film hits like Peaky Blinders, Man Like Mobeen, Gadget Show, Great British Menu and Small Axe, our creative sector offers a variety of rewarding careers for local people.

“Even in these difficult times when many people have sadly fallen out of work due to the pandemic, there are opportunities to retrain for a new career in the TV sector.

“Young people in particular have been badly affected by the economic impact of Covid, and Create Central’s bootcamps are a great opportunity to not just get into work, but do so in one of the region’s most exciting sectors.”

Create Central members who work in the TV sector have helped to shape the bootcamp content and are offering real-life work experience for existing gaps in their businesses, with a guaranteed job interview at the end.

Create Central and the WMCA teamed up with Solihull College & University Centre, which provides the skills training, to launch the bootcamps earlier this year.

Aresa Foster, from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, said: “I applied for the TV Bootcamp knowing that I wanted to pursue a career in TV production management. It was great hearing from so many industry professionals, gaining new knowledge and landing work opportunities within TV that I couldn’t have achieved without the bootcamp.”

Production Manager Amy Panesar, who is based in Birmingham, contributed to the bootcamp as a guest speaker and this gave her the opportunity to connect with the trainees.

“The trainees got stuck into being on location and blended really well with the team. Taking on responsibilities, getting the site ready for filming and being part of a large team, they got to experience a busy rig with loads of departments coming together. I hope it gave them a positive taste of TV life!”

The bootcamp consists of an intensive month-long programme followed by a real-to-life work placement in one of the region’s top TV companies for people who have the drive and commitment to work in the TV sector.

Colette Foster, CEO of Full Fat TV and Create Central Member said, “The bootcamps scheme has turned out even better than any of us had hoped. With the film and television industry opening up again, we want to keep the momentum of getting people into the industry and giving them opportunities to stay in the industry, because the TV industry needs great people, and we want great people working with us.”

Lisa Cleaver, Bootcamp Project Manager at Solihull College & University Centre, said: “We are delighted to be working with Create Central and the WMCA on this exciting project. It gives us the opportunity to work alongside industry to develop meaningful training which directly prepares people for the realities of a career in the screen industry. The results from the first Bootcamp have been fantastic – I’m so pleased to see our ‘campers making such a great start to their careers in TV.”

More information about the bootcamp and how to apply can be found here.