As part of a bigger future Skillset has enhanced its existing careers service by recruiting advisors to concentrate exclusively on the film business. Six new film advisors were recruited last year:

• Martell - Line Producer
• Mark Leese - Production Designer
• Nic Jeune - First Assistant Director
• David Humphries - Re-recording Mixer
• Mike Fox - Camera Operator
• Giles Burgess - Assistant Editor

All six are working freelancers who have received comprehensive training in how to deliver careers advice. All have up-to-date knowledge of the business today through their own personal experience of the industry, as well as Skillset's own information and resources.

"We've got experienced film practitioners on board to give people wanting to get into the industry invaluable information on what it takes to get in and get on," says Skillset's Careers Manager Ilka Walkley. "This helps to make new entrants better informed and prepared for a career in film. Our aim is to open the industry up to a lot of young people not lucky enough to know anyone already working in the industry."

The service also caters for practitioners looking to change direction or take their careers up a level. "It can be especially helpful for practitioners to sit down with one of their peers, in confidence, and evaluate where they are going and how to get there faster."

Anyone interested in applying for a face to face careers session with a film advisor should go to http://www.skillset.org/careers/services/

For general careers enquiries, call one of the Skillset Careers helplines:

08080 300 900 in England or Northern Ireland

0808 100 8094 in Scotland

0800 0121 815 in Wales