Skillset Film Skills Fund: Funding priorities

The Skillset Film Skills Fund supports training for both freelancers and employees in the UK film industry.

Projects supported by the Skillset Film Skills Fund must show benefit to the industry across the UK and respond to the current needs of the UK film industry in addressing skills gaps and shortages. So, in taking a course supported by the Fund, you'll know that you're gaining skills that are in high demand in the industry.

The funding priorities change according to the way the needs of the industry change over time. The current funding priorities for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for professionals in the film industry are were developed after extensive consultation with the film industry and in partnership with the UK Film Council, as part of the second phase of A Bigger Future, Skillset's film strategy for the UK. They are:

1. New technologies

keeping the UK at the forefront of technological development;

2. Trainees, apprentices and new entrants

Paying particular focus on VFX to build up a depth of talent in priority areas;

3. Talent development

To help creative talent produce critically and commercially successful films to create employment and build the reputation and sustainability of our industry;

4. Business skills

Creating sustainable, successful businesses;

5. Health and safety skills

Investment in each of these priority areas will help to protect existing jobs, bolster investment and create new opportunities for growth, leading the way to a bigger future for UK film.

One of the flagship initiatives is a new Craft and Technical Academy, funded by industry contributions to the Skills Investment Fund (SIF), the levy on productions filmed in the UK.

This will be a centre of excellence for craft and technical training, with one of its key functions to deliver high quality trainees on to productions to make sure the UK maintains its reputation as having the depth and quality of crew.

The Fund receives its income from the National Lottery paid to Skillset through the UK Film Council and from the film industry itself through a training levy on UK film production paid into the Skills Investment Fund.