Screen Yorkshire launches service to link region's colleges to film and TV industry

Leeds-based Screen Yorkshire's new venture aims to make the creative industries more accessible to young people from Yorkshire and Humber.

Wakefield College, Bradford School of Art, University Centre Leeds, and York College University Centre are the four founding members of the new Connected Campus for Colleges group.

A variety of boot camps and special events related to TV and Film production will be held at the colleges with industry professionals from a huge swathe of disciplines including directing, producing and camera operating to make-up, costume and production management.

Nathan Kelly, from Bradford School of Art, said the new initiative would open up a raft of new opportunities for young people.

The head of education, creative industries and digital arts, said: "We look forward to working as part of this consortium to up-skill Bradford’s young talent within the craft and technical skills needed by the film, TV and media industries in West Yorkshire.”

As part of the scheme there will also be masterclasses and workshops, bringing students up to date with the industry’s most urgent needs.

Marie Dalton, Wakefield College head of curriculum for Arts said: "Giving our students huge benefits in employment opportunities and access to professionals in the industry to broaden their knowledge and skills in order to secure employment."

While in North Yorkshire Sharon Barrington, a programme leader from York College Programme Leader, added: "This will give them an advantage when seeking employment, developing their industry knowledge and building their confidence to network within the competitive world of television and film.”

The innovative move has been welcomed by broadcasters based in the region, including Channel 4, the BBC and ITV.

Kevin Blacoe, the head of relationships, for Channel 4's Nations & Regions, based in Leeds said: "We really welcome the creation of the Connected Campus for Colleges by Screen Yorkshire and look forward to working closely with this group.

"Our 4Skills initiative is intended to seek out, support and develop diverse talent in the Nations and Regions and the Connected Campus for Colleges provides a great opportunity to engage with young people across the region, including those who might never have thought a career in broadcasting was within reach."

More colleges are expected to join the group from across the region in the coming months.

Glyn Middleton, head of skills at Screen Yorkshire added: "The programme is encouraged and supported by broadcasters in the region, keen to harness the local talent in the region's colleges.

"The programme of learning is designed to adapt to the rapidly fluctuating developments in the screen industries, such as skills gaps that emerge as a result of new technologies, or an increase in production activity as a result of new companies or broadcasters migrating to the region."

Previously Screen Yorkshire launched its original, Connected Campus network, initially for universities in 2019 and its membership has been growing steadily ever since.

The network is one of a number of training initiatives delivered by Screen Yorkshire, that aims to ensure the region’s TV and film workforce is the most talented, versatile and “industry-ready” in the UK.

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