27 04 2023 - Media release

Screen Australia launches three new Industry Development programs for below-the-line roles

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Screen Australia has announced three new programs for boosting below-the-line (BTL) capacity across the country: BTL Next Step to help mid-career practitioners gain a credit in four key roles; the Production Crew Skills Training Fund supporting productions to provide work-based learning; and the Transferable Skills & Returning Crew Training Fund to support training opportunities for practitioners returning after a career break, or people in other industries with transferable skills moving into the screen industry.

Minster for the Arts, Tony Burke said, “The screen industry is booming right now in Australia and we need more talented, skilled workers to help steer it along. One of the principles of Revive, our cultural policy, is that creative talent is nurtured through fair renumeration, industry standards and safe and inclusive work cultures. Programs such as BTL Next Step demonstrate the viability of work within the creative industries and help more people move into them.”

Screen Australia’s Head of Industry Development, Ken Crouch said, “It’s fantastic to have such significant production taking place across the country, and we are committed to supporting the screen industry’s capacity to meet this demand. We have designed these programs to support the skills development of as many below-the-line crew roles as possible, especially in positions that we know are currently experiencing shortages around the country. The response to these shortages needs to be led by the industry, and we want to hear from the sector about what their priorities are so we can support them to address these areas.”

“We have a wealth of talent and these programs will help springboard the careers of capable practitioners as they advance into leadership roles, increase their confidence and ability, return to the industry from a career break or transfer their skills from other areas into the screen industry. By delivering these programs with the industry, we can work together to make sure we are in the best position to keep up the pace.”

The news follows Screen Australia’s announcement last month of $1 million for the state screen agencies to support their own training and skills development programs, including placements for below-the-line roles.

BTL NEXT STEP

Through this initiative, Screen Australia will support eight to 12 mid-career practitioners to take the next step in their career by undertaking a paid placement where they will be mentored and attain a credit. The placements will be in crew and leadership roles that have been identified as experiencing shortages: Line Producer, Production Manager, Location Manager and Post Production Supervisor. This program will support practitioners to advance their skills, preparing them for future senior leadership positions and increasing capacity across the sector. Host companies can submit an Expression of Interest as part of this first stage, and applications will open for practitioners in the coming months. More information is available in the guidelines here.

PRODUCTION CREW SKILLS TRAINING FUND

This new funding program will support production companies and businesses that service the screen industry, with grants of up to $80,000 to provide skills development through structured work-based learning and training. These proposals must benefit at least three participants and may include emerging practitioners receiving on-the-job training to gain confidence and a credit; training to support upskilling crew into mid-career and HOD roles; or other tailored structured programs.

The fund is open to productions across all formats and genres, and a financial co-contribution from the applicant is strongly recommended. The recipients will need to develop a detailed Skills Development Plan that addresses the crew skills needs of their production or the screen sector more broadly.

Applications are now open and close at 5pm AEST Thursday 25 May 2023. For more information see the guidelines here.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS & RETURNING CREW TRAINING FUND

Screen Australia will provide grants of up to $50,000 to screen industry training organisations and screen businesses to develop and deliver initiatives for:

• BTL practitioners returning to work after a break in their careers; and/or
• People working in other industries to identify transferable skills and connect those skills to BTL crew jobs.

These may include masterclasses, workshops and training programs, mentorship programs, individual and group career coaching, or targeted training activities with BTL crew jobs as an outcome of the opportunity.

Applications are now open and close at 5pm AEST Thursday 25 May 2023. For more information see the guidelines here.

NEW INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Screen Australia is pleased to announce Amelia Carew-Reid has joined the agency as Training and Development Manager, reporting to Ken Crouch. Amelia has worked across the creative industries for over 20 years with a focus on industry development, professional pathways and vocational training. Prior to joining Screen Australia, Amelia was the Manager, Industry Development, at Screen NSW where she managed funding programs and designed initiatives in partnership with screen sector stakeholders to build industry capacity above and below the line. While at Screen NSW Amelia managed the designation of Sydney as a UNESCO City of film and coordinated the 21 global cities of film in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Amelia has also previously held roles at Create NSW, Sydney Opera House, NSW Film and Television Office and Metro Screen.

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Ted Rose | Senior Publicist

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