First Post FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is it all about?
"First Post" was a pilot scheme to help London post production companies to train their junior-level staff. The course is currently underway in the South West, Wales and the North West.
It has been designed by industry to train up to 25 new employees of different post production companies all they need to know to become useful members of their business.
Who's behind it?
The training committee of UK Screen and Skillset have spent many hours devising a syllabus that fills the gaps in the training of new employees for our industry. With the help of senior staff from over 30 facility houses and the backing of UK Screen, IVCA, ChEFF, BKSTS and APRS this scheme is by industry for industry.
Launching this scheme in London has been made possible by significant investment from the London Development Agency.
Sounds great, who can I send?
The course has been devised with an employee of approximately no more than 6 months experience in mind. Basically, someone that has potential and a keen interest to progress in the post production industry.
We have cought wide representation of post production companies to take part in it, and limited the places to one or two per company.
What will it teach my employees then?
Individuals get a thorough grounding in technical operations, customer and commercial skills that they need to help them make a contribution to your company. Whether the student aims for a technical or client facing role this course will give them the breadth of knowledge to progress. In fact they will be increasingly useful to you from day one of the course. For a list of the modules that will be covered, please request a course outline from the regional team in the area it is currently running in.
Golly, that sounds a lot! How will it do all that?
The tutors have experience of working in the industry, and they are commercially aware; they teach from a business perspective, not a creative or arty approach; Practical lessons for people in work to do their jobs better and perform better for their employers. Learning modules also include experiential visits to other post production companies engaged on the scheme. Some learning will happen at your own company. A mixture of seminars, workshops, masterclasses, site visits, online learning, homework and work-based learning is used.
How do I enrol my employee(s) on the course?
At present the scheme is not open for applications. Watch this space for further updates.
Is my company eligible to send trainees?
You must:
- Be based in the region the courses is running in
- Provide two or more of the following services as core activities; editing, sound, graphics, duplication or telecine;
- If required, be able to demonstrate that the majority of your company turnover comes from providing these services to the open market;
- Be able to demonstrate commitment to the future skills of the industry (e.g. by membership of appropriate trade bodies, existing investment and planning in staff development)
- Be a Limited Company
- Be willing to pay a modest contribution to the course costs
- Be willing to nominate a Line manager for your trainee(s) and report on their progress following short monthly review meetings
Hang on a minute, I have to pay? How much?
The cost per employee for the course should be in excess of £8000. However, thanks to substantial funding from the LDA we were able to offer each place for a mere £900. A great deal!
How do I choose the lucky so-and-so that will go on this course?
As mentioned, we are looking for individuals that you want to invest in. We have set some overall criteria for them:
- Full time contract for duration of course
- Worked for no more than 12 months in the industry
- Working in a London post production company (as defined above)
- Not to be a Company Director
How often will I lose my staff to the training then?
We will be developing a timetable which is flexible enough to fit around your needs as a company but arranged far enough in advance for you to plan your rotas. We estimate that in total the course represents a time commitment by the student of 156 hours over 6 months. Of this a large proportion is based in the workplace but there are lectures, seminars and visits to attend throughout the course. The classroom based learning session is one day a week for a period of about 18 weeks. Through the evaluation of the first course in 2005, we have concluded that this is the most appropriate and effective way to run the course.
And if a booking comes up and I need them to stay at work?
We need the commitment of all the companies and individuals involved on the scheme.
How will I know how my employee is progressing?
Students will be continually tested throughout the course and the results will be fed back to you, the employer. The student will receive a certificate of achievement on completion of the course.
I am a lone freelance post production professional. Am I eligible for this training?
No. This scheme is solely for employees of post production companies.
