Channel 4’s barrier-breaking Production Training Scheme opens for applications across the UK 

15 April 2024

• 13 fully paid placements available in Belfast, Birmingham, Caernarfon, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Middlesbrough and Wrexham  
• Channel 4’s Production Training Scheme aims to nurture underrepresented entry-level talent 
• Opportunity for trainees to kickstart their TV career as production coordinators or researchers with unscripted indies

Channel 4 has opened applications for its Production Training Scheme, offering 13 fully paid placements with unscripted indies across the UK.

The Channel 4 Production Training Scheme aims to nurture new and underrepresented talent and provide them an opportunity to break into the industry. Trainees will work in paid, full-time roles for independent production companies for 12 months alongside support and training delivered by the channel’s training partner thinkBIGGER!.  

Candidates will learn from the very best the UK TV industry has to offer, all whilst earning a salary of £24,000 a year for trainees in the Nations and Regions, funded by 4Skills and the indie partner.

Starting in September, this is first time the scheme has opened a trainee position in the North East of England with a placement available in Middlesbrough. Other locations offering either production coordinator or researcher roles include Belfast, Birmingham, Caernarfon, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Wrexham.

Full list of placements and roles include:

1. Waddell - Production Coordinator - Belfast
2. Stellify - Production Coordinator – Belfast
3. Spun Gold - Researcher - Birmingham
4. Cwmni Da – Researcher – Caernarfon
5. Yeti - Researcher - Cardiff  
6. Wildflame - Researcher - Cardiff
7. Firecrest – Researcher & Production Coordinator - Glasgow 
8. Raise the Roof - Researcher – Glasgow
9. True North - Researcher - Leeds    
10. Studio Lambert - Researcher - Manchester 
11.  Wander Films - Production Coordinator – Middlesbrough
12. Ty’r Ddraig – Researcher – Wrexham

Kevin Blacoe, Channel 4’s Head of Partnerships & Skills, Nations & Regions says: “One of Channel 4’s key priorities is to seek out and nurture talent across the UK. Breaking into the television industry can be extremely challenging and our Production Training Scheme aims to reduce that difficulty by helping entry-level talent land their first industry job. We’ve partnered with some incredible production companies across the UK to offer paid roles, providing trainees with new skills, experience and knowledge that they can apply throughout their career.”

Nicole Kleeman, Managing Director, Firecrest Films says: “Firecrest is delighted to partner again with Channel 4 on this important scheme. Over the last seven years we’ve seen at first hand how valuable the C4 Production Training Scheme has been in identifying the best emerging talent in Scotland and giving them the skills to flourish. We’re delighted to be taking part once again.”

The initiative is one of many projects being supported by 4Skills, which provided more than 57,000 learning, training or development opportunities in 2023.

The deadline for applications is 22 April and the scheme launches on 16 September. For more information, visit: https://www.c4productiontrainingscheme.com/

Notes to Editors

For further information, please contact: Rachel Williams, Corporate Press Officer RaWilliams@channel4.co.uk

About 4Skills

4Skills is Channel 4’s nationwide training and development strategy which aims to create thousands of opportunities nationwide with a particular focus on people from diverse and disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds who want a career in broadcasting.

In 2023 4Skills generated more than 57,000 training, development and learning opportunities for people across the UK, focusing on those from underrepresented groups. It offered full-time, fully-paid training to young people taking their first steps in our industry including 41 apprentices, 30 Content Creatives trainees and 16 disabled trainees recruited for the Paralympics Production Training Scheme.

4Skills invests £5m in training, development and learning opportunities annually and this will double to £10m by 2025.

For more information visit: https://careers.channel4.com/4skills

About Channel 4

Channel 4 exists to create change through entertainment. Publicly owned yet commercially funded, Channel 4 generates significant and sustainable cultural, economic and social impact across the UK – at no cost to the taxpayer.

The broadcaster’s distinctive remit is set by Parliament, and it has a role to represent unheard voices, challenge with purpose and reinvent entertainment. For over 40 years, it has been a British success story, engaging generation after generation of young people.

Through a unique publisher-broadcaster model, Channel 4 commissions its content from the UK independent production sector. Working with around 300 creative companies every year, Channel 4 makes a major contribution to the local, regional and national economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the country.