ScreenSkills job-sharing programme aims to retain industry talent

A new programme commissioned by the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund is aimed at retaining industry experience and expertise by matching job-share partners ready for hire.

Three dozen participants across areas of skills need in craft and tech roles have been matched under the programme contracted to Share Your Telly Job, devised and funded with backing from the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund Craft and Tech industry led Working Group.

The first-of-its-kind programme aims to make it easier to facilitate job share requests within HETV production and enables improved flexibility for professionals.

Kaye Elliott, Director of High-end TV for ScreenSkills, said: “We are delighted to fund this programme that looks to tackle an existing issue in a new and forward-thinking way. By adopting a job-sharing approach, it allows talented individuals to remain in the industry while also benefiting productions who can hire from a broad selection of experienced and diverse professionals in key areas that need addressing.

“Job-sharing enables often under-represented groups, like parents and carers, find their way back into the industry and, in times when mental health and wellbeing are in particular focus, it provides an opportunity to redress the work-life balance.”

A series of organised events allowed job-sharers to form pairs based on complementary skills and locality. The resulting 18 partnerships are grouped regionally and offer experience in areas including hair and make-up, art department, costume and wardrobe, sound, and camera to productions across the country.

Part of the programme will involve supporting the job-share placements with additional training and coaching for both job-share pairs and the production teams they work with, and any sixth day handover requirements will be funded by the HETV Skills fund to enable the job share to be effective as possible.

Michelle Reynolds, Co-Director of Share My Telly Job, said: “Our experience of coaching both job-sharers and the employers that manage them, means we can provide advice based on best practice to ensure the success of the placements. Our social mission is to create a more sustainable, inclusive and innovative television industry.”

Share My Telly Job will be supporting the job-share placements with additional training for both the job-share pairs and the teams they will work with. If you wish to receive the brochure detailing each of the pairs’ skills and region, contact michelle@smtj.tv.