RESEARCHER APPRENTICE

An apprenticeship is a job with a structured training programme to support the employee in their role.

Informer © Neal Street Productions

Apprenticeships are jobs with a structured training programme that takes up 20 per cent of the employees time. They are about supporting people to become capable professionals, building personal development and adding real value to businesses.
There are different levels of apprenticeship. They all have to last a minimum period of 12 months. Some involve study equivalent to that of an A-Level or Higher. Others involve study equivalent to a degree and can last for up to three years.
Apprenticeships involve working with ‘apprenticeship standards’ – a set of knowledge, skills and behavioural standards, agreed by employers, that a person needs to be competent in a specific role.
Employers who want to take on apprenticeships then create their own training programmes, designed around the standard, in collaboration with a dedicated training provider.

How apprenticeships work:

An actual job

Employers offer a real job that needs doing in their organisation with the understanding that the employee is in training. This option can be for a new recruit or an existing member of staff
Apprentices carry out their day-to-day job for about 80% of their paid time
Apprentices learn the role through the experience that employers give them, picking up the knowledge, skills and behaviours from the apprenticeship standard that are needed to become competent in their profession

Training

At least 20% of paid time is spent in “off-the-job training”. Off-the-job training is time that apprentices spend away from their usual duties to develop their skills. Off-the-job training can take place at a college or training provider, or be delivered in the workplace
Employers design a training programme with an external training provider, deciding how much training the employer will deliver and how much is delivered by the training provider
Many employers say this percentage isn’t too dissimilar from the informal training regular employees need to get up-to-speed

End-Point Assessment (EPA)

At the end of an apprenticeship, an apprentice is independently assessed to check they have built the knowledge, skills and behaviours defined in the apprenticeship standard
There is no obligation for an employer to offer a permanent job on completion of an apprenticeship. However, if an employer has invested in training someone to a professional standard, they are likely to want to keep them on

Who can do an apprenticeship?

The following criteria makes someone eligible to be an apprentice:

Anyone aged over 16
Graduates and non-graduates
New or existing staff
Individuals that have a right to work in the UK
What types of screen industry apprenticeships are there?
There are lots of different roles for people in the screen industries and the range of relevant apprenticeships is broad and varied. There are a number of apprenticeships in areas such as VFX and production management with new standards being developed all the time.

Discover screen-related apprenticeship standards

Assistant technical director (visual effects)
Assistant accountant
Broadcast and media systems engineer
Broadcast and media systems technical operator
Broadcast and media systems technician*
Broadcast production assistant
Camera prep technician*
Carpentry and joinery
Advanced carpentry and joinery
Costume performance technician*
Creative industries production manager
Creative venue technician
Customer service specialist
Event assistant
Installation electrician
Junior 2D artist (visual effects)
Junior animator
Junior content producer
Junior VFX artist*
Live event rigger
Media production co-ordinator*
Outside broadcasting engineer
Photographic assistant
Post-production technical operator
Professional accounting technician
Props technician
Software developer
Software tester
Storyboard artist
VFX artist/technical director*
Junior journalist

What are apprenticeship levels?
Apprenticeships are usually described as being a certain level. This indicates the standard of learning that will be required to complete the apprenticeship.
Level 3 apprenticeships involve the level of study similar to that of an A-level
Level 4 apprenticeships involve the level of study similar to that of a higher national certificate or first year at university
Level 5 apprenticeships involve the level of study similar to that of a higher national diploma or first two years at university
Level 6 qualifications apprenticeships involve the level of study similar to that of an undergraduate degree
Level 7 apprenticeships involve the level of study similar to that of a master’s degree
By the end of the apprenticeship the apprentice will have developed industry-recognised skills and have an apprenticeship certificate to prove it.

Apprenticeships in Wales

Notification Received 22nd November 2021

New Apprenticeship Jobs now open! Want real experience working
behind-the-scenes on TV productions?

Ready to gain a Level 3 qualification in Creative and Digital Media
AND to earn whilst you learn? Sgil Cymru will be providing training for the following Apprenticeship programmes.Boom Cymru are looking for a Researcher ApprenticeBoom closing date: 29.11.21.

Company: Boom Cymru

Apprenticeship Role: Researcher Apprentice

Location: Cardiff

About the Organisation

Boom is one of Wales’s largest production groups. Established in 1994, we are a trusted, multi-genre company that produces over 400 hours of content annually for S4C, BBC, ITV and C5. Through our television and digital production divisions, Boom Cymru, Boom and Boom Kids, the group has an impressive track-record of producing award-winning factual, factual-entertainment, entertainment, drama and children’s content. Our productions are characterised by our commitment to exceptional storytelling and the highest production values. Boom Cymru is dedicated to producing the finest quality for Welsh broadcasters, S4C, BBC Wales and ITV Wales, while the Boom division focuses on creating compelling content for the UK’s network broadcasters and international markets. We are also proud producers of innovative and entertaining multi-platform social content.

As well as the Boom label, Boom Group also houses production divisions Boom Cymru and Boom Kids employing approximately 200 staff in Wales, as well as leading Welsh post-production facility Gorilla and Visual Effects, Motion Graphics and Interactive company, Bait Studio.

Job Description

Boom Cymru are looking for a researcher to join the production team responsible for producing “lifestyle” factual entertainment series’. If you have an interest in programmes about interior design, cookery, fashion and travel and are keen to work for a tv production company then go for it!

RESPONSIBILTIES

· The ability to work independently and as part of a team
· Be a creative person full of ideas
· To have an interest in lifestyle programmes
· Full driving licence (or equivalent) would be an advantage
· You are an enthusiastic, friendly and hard-working candidate.
· The ability to communicate in Welsh (fluency is not required)

Framework

Whilst working for Boom Cymru you will be completing a 12-month Level 3 Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media through Cardiff-based training provider, Sgil Cymru.

Wage

The salary for this role is £19,305 per annum.

How to Apply

Click here to complete the application form.

If you have questions about the apprenticeship programme, please read the FAQs.

Closing Date

Midday on Monday, 29^th November 2021.

Start Date

Monday, 24^th January 2022.

SPECIAL EFFECTS APPRENTICE

November 17, 2021 admin NEWS 0

Company: Real SFX

Apprenticeship Role: Special Effects Apprentice

Location: Cardiff

About the Organisation

Real SFX is a practical special effects company that specialises in atmospheric, fire, explosives, mechanical rigs, model making and soft props. The team of highly skilled supervisors and technicians create bespoke physical effects for the TV, Film and Event industry. With the fully functional workshop in Cardiff, the team travels all over the UK working on high-end TV productions such as Peaky Blinders, Luther and Sherlock in addition to feature films such as Free Fire, Show Dogs, Final Score and Hunter Killer.

Job Description

Real SFX is hiring a Special Effects Apprentice to join their team in Cardiff. Please note that this is not a job involving prosthetics or makeup and Real SFX is not a CGI company but a special effects company that create a variety of physical special effects from scratch. As an apprentice you will be based in the Cardiff workshop and working as part of the crew helping to create, build and execute physical special effects.

The ideal Special Effects Apprentice will:

Have a clean driving licence with a minimum of 3 years’ experience
Have a flexible approach to working hours
Have an interest in engineering, woodwork, mechanics, model making and electrics
Need to be versatile and innovative, have an aptitude to learn and have the ability to think on their feet and problem solve
Be aware of Health and Safety and be willing to listen and learn from experienced technicians
Be willing to travel for work as Real SFX works all over the UK
Have great communication and listening skills
Work well as part of a team

The Special Effects Apprentice will be expected to:

Ensure the workshop is kept clean and tidy, in order to maintain a safe working environment for all the Real SFX team
Load and unload vehicles with the required kit for productions
Maintain stock and replenishing when required
Keep storage stock, fixtures and fittings organised and tidy

Assist the Special Effects Technicians with the maintenance of equipment and effects
Run errands between the Special Effects and other departments
Learn about the different types of effects and what equipment and materials are required to achieve them
Keep a comprehensive record of work experience for the Diploma qualification

Whilst working as a Special Effects Apprentice you will have the opportunity to learn a wide range of skills within the workshop. You will also have the opportunity to use a variety of specialist machinery that is used to create special effects such as wind, rain, snow and fire. This will give you the chance to oversee the special effects process and how to use pyrotechnics safely.

Desirable but not Essential Skills

Fluent Welsh speaker
Computer literate (Microsoft Office including Word and Excel)