Words by Tolu Stedford, Co-CEO at the Independent Film Trust

This week is National Careers Week (7^th – 12^th March), which allows us to focus on the importance of good careers education in schools and colleges. The biggest challenge for diverse talent breaking through into behind the camera roles is that many people from marginalised groups have no idea these roles exist. National Careers Week is an imperative tool to highlight opportunities not typically seen as being accessible. 

Young people from low socioeconomic groups have been significantly underexposed to the magic of entertainment through monetary barriers of regular trips to the theatre, cinema, and art exhibitions. Meaning this industry becomes a closed and elitist privilege to access and excludes and repels young people from believing they have a valued place to contribute. 

The constraint of access from marginalised groups trickles all the way to the top, where we see a severe lack of representation in senior management roles. These positions are the seats that keep the status quo unchallenged and the doors opening a crack at a time. Ultimately without unlocking the key to commissioning and broadcasting, the industry will remain closed for most. 

In the absence of a dedicated drive national careers week to highlight the diverse career opportunities to young people, we are losing out on a mass of fresh voices and innovative perspectives gained from opening the doors widely. The industry is being robbed of new talent that can elevate the pioneering content coming from the UK. Therefore, losing out on the chance to enhance the economy and diverse representation simultaneously. 
 
As a young girl, I went to a school that didn’t have drama in the curriculum. I was lucky enough to get into the national youth theatre through an advertisement on ITN that my mum saw as she snoozed after her night shift as an NHS nurse. This changed my life. Up until this point growing up watching musicals with little to no people of colour, I knew I wanted to be in the industry, but I had no exposure to what and where I could fit in. 30 years later, I am now a multi-award-winning writer and producer and Co-CEO of the Independent Film Trust (IFT) alongside, Charlotte Knowles. Together, we work to ensure all the doors stay open for good. 
 
Like many others in the industry, I stumbled my way into a career behind the screen through the necessity of wanting to see more stories that included people like me. Because the reality was, although this is my dream job, I had no idea what a producer, writer, director, 1^st AD, camera operator, and editor was! I had no idea the industry I was born to work and contribute to existed and was looking for someone like me to fill an important role. It’s an empowering testimony to the opportunities on offer in this sector and many others. Young people need to be armed with the knowledge that every young person is needed and wanted somewhere. We as an industry must take time to invest and show them that their skill is valued and impactful to this country, society, and the world! 

Career week is one of the most critical weeks of the year for young people because it can change their lives and actualise their dreams. 

To learn more about IFT and the IFT Studios, visit our website to find out how you can be involved in helping the marginalised express their lived experience through film, TV and immersive media. You can also follow us on social media (Instagram) to keep up to date on our latest projects.