copy written for VMI
The new Apprenticeship Standard for Camera Prep Technicians is looking
to expand after a successful first season launch.
article here
Last summer, nine trainees became the first cohort of apprentices to
participate in a two-year programme during which they will be trained to Senior
Technician standard.
They will emerge in August 2023 with a formal level 3 NVQ qualification
recognised across the industry. Most are guaranteed a job at the camera rental
company that currently employs them as part of successfully completing the
scheme.
The next intake, due to start this August, is expected to recruit at
least 20 applicants into the camera rental industry giving a boost to the
industry-wide skills shortage.
“Every apprentice has had glowing reviews from their employers,” reports
Mik Nelson, Assistant Principal at the training and facilities provider London
Screen Academy (LSA).
VMI, PixiPixel, Movietech, CVP, Cineark, Pro Motion Hire and Brownian
Motion are currently signed up as employers for 2022.
“We are hoping to engage many more companies to build on the successes
of the current cohort for the 2022 entry,” Nelson says.
Why the scheme is needed
The project was instigated in 2019 when Barry Bassett, Managing Director
of VMI discovered that he was not alone among camera rental companies in
finding it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain camera technicians.
“The prevailing entry route to the TV industry sees university graduates
joining as interns and then receiving ad-hoc on-the-job training,” Bassett
explains. “This process often sees new candidates leaving their jobs once
they are trained, which is unsatisfactory for everyone.
“The idea was to see if we could offer an alternative entry path by
setting up formal vocational training that would result in a recognised
qualification and a full-time job.”
ScreenSkills and The Institute of Apprenticeships (IoC) agreed to
investigate further and worked with training programme developer SkillSet to
design and approve the new standard. Several rental companies also collaborated
to design and formalise the standard which was approved in 2020. However,
progress was hit by Covid when the planned 2020 launch was postponed and
student numbers on the 2021 course had to be reduced.
Nonetheless, the venture has the support of other organisations
including ASPEC (Studio & Production Equipment Companies) who represents a
number of UK rental companies, GTC (Guild of TV Cameramen), GBCT (Guild of
British Camera Technicians) and Park Royal Business Group (PBRG).
Camera rental companies are going to be key to the scheme’s success and
many have joined in sponsoring apprentices. Aside from those previously listed,
other companies in the sector have signalled their backing and include Luna
Remote, Alan Wells, Shoot Blue and DV Talent.
Sponsoring companies for 2022 will commit to taking students in March. A
selection event planned for this Spring will filter applicants. Interest in the
scheme is high, which was demonstrated when the inaugural year attracted over
200 applicants.
“What is key to employers is that a low first year salary plus a £2K
Government grant helps to offset the training cost,” explains Bassett. VMI has
three apprentices working at its London and Bristol sites as part of the
scheme. “The £11K training course is 95% paid by the Government or from
the Levy fund of levy-paying companies. Either way, the employers pay
very little towards the apprentice training but have everything to gain.”
The sponsoring companies play an active role in the scheme and are
planning further collaboration in order to add value to the training
process. Initiatives such as providing training to the group to use
specialist equipment and structured job-shares will widen the experience of the
trainees. After feedback from other rental companies, LSA is investigating
reducing the training period from two years to 18 months, to increase the speed
of full-trained technicians entering the industry.
Course design and education
The camera technician’s role, as formalised in the programme, is to
prepare camera equipment that is complete, works effectively, is correctly
maintained and is appropriately configured and accessorised to be suitable for
a given production.
A great deal of thought had to go into designing the best method to
test technical knowledge (multiple-choice questions), camera prep-tech skills
(observation) and troubleshooting, specialist knowledge and approach (discussion),
as well as grade boundaries and definitions.
“The core objective of the role is to ensure that customers are provided
with the equipment and support they require, at the time and place they require
it, so they are able to make full use of the equipment package,” Nelson
explains. “Their knowledge and skills can equally be applied to whatever means
and methods are used in the workplace to prepare related equipment ready for
use.”
Core duties include (but are not limited to) resource planning and allocation
for own work, equipment preparation to meet specification and deadline; routine
maintenance to ensure working order and the cleanliness of accessories. Lenses
not only need to be blemish-free but are delivered correctly to scale. Kit
needs to be quality assessed and tested.
“Client liaison is a key part of the role as is learning from colleagues
so that apprentices are up to date with developments and component
compatibility,” says Nelson.
Trainees also learn about booking kit in and out; the importance of
keeping accurate equipment lists and records and the return of equipment to
suitable specification after use.
A talent pipe for the industry
Not only does this formal training provide greater incentive for
apprentices to remain in employment with their company for longer it will be
of tangible benefit to the industry as a whole.
“By training them straight from school whilst they are in full-time paid
employment ought to ensure a steady stream of trained technicians at the
end of the process,” Bassett says.
Most importantly, at the end of the formal training period, successful
apprentices can expect to receive full employment on a good salary. VMI,
recognised as the UK’s first certified living wage camera rental company
employer, pays newly qualified apprentices a minimum starting salary of £22,500
which will rise over time.
“Young talent are more likely to stay in post before potentially moving
out into the freelance world or another industry role. Moreover, by
delivering such a practical grounding we can hopefully ensure a higher quality
of crew for the future of UK TV and film.”
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