Channel 4’s Paralympic Production Training Scheme will give 19 disabled people the chance to launch their broadcast careers with 12-month placements at independent production companies across the UK – and some will go on to work on the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
Successful applicants will spend a year working as trainee production co-ordinators or as researchers working on sport, entertainment, factual entertainment and factual productions at indies based throughout the UK – Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Chepstow, Glasgow, Leeds, London and Manchester.
Disabled people interested in a career in broadcasting can apply at the Channel 4 website to take part in the Paralympic Production Training Scheme which is funded and led by 4Skills (see below for more details), with training and support provided by thinkBIGGER!
Sinead Rocks, Channel 4’s MD, Nations and Regions, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity
to work at the heart of some amazing indies, gain a wealth of experience and learn new skills which could potentially take the trainees into a career they had never envisaged.
“Identifying and nurturing new talent is one of the most important roles of 4Skills and I’m thrilled so many indies across the UK have teamed up with us to offer these year-long opportunities.”
Channel 4’s Head of Sport Pete Andrews said: “Sports production is one area where we really need to increase the numbers of disabled people playing key roles behind the camera. This scheme will help to give a much-needed career boost to talented people from all over the UK.”
The five indies which specialise in sport offering posts for trainees are: Buzz 16, Gravity, IMG, Sunset & Vine and Whisper.
Other companies offering 12-month long roles for trainees are: Brown Bob Productions, Firecrest Films, Mighty Productions, North One, Open Mike, Outline, Raise the Roof Productions, Red Sauce, True North, Waddell Media, Warner Bros., Worker Bee and 4Creative.
These indies have produced a range of fantastic content including The Last Leg; Love It or List It; Alan Carr’s Chatty Man and coverage of Formula 1, UEFA Women’s Euros 2022 and Wimbledon.
Sunil Patel, Whisper CEO: “We passionately believe at Whisper that the team in our office should reflect the world we live in. We aim to ‘impact positive change’, which goes well beyond the programmes we deliver.
“The Paralympic Production Training Scheme provides fantastic, targeted opportunities for disabled talent to enter the industry, which is vitally important as we continue to help sports production to become as inclusive and diverse as possible. Our hope is that the production training scheme helps us welcome more disabled talent into Whisper, Channel 4 and the industry, where they can work for many years to come.”
Successful applicants will attend a week-long TV Boot Camp where they will hear from graduates of previous schemes as well as Commissioning Editors who will give the lowdown on what it takes to succeed. Then their TV careers start for real as they get to work with their production company.
Applications can be made here and the closing date of 28th May. The trainees are due to start on 18th September.