CHANNEL 4 are giving 19 disabled people the chance to break into broadcasting 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 of the Paralympic Production Training Scheme will spend a year working as trainee production co-ordinators or as researchers working on sport, entertainment, factual entertainment and factual productions.
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.
She added: “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.”
Pete Andrews, the broadcaster’s Head of Sport, 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 specialising in sport offering posts for trainees are: Buzz 16, Gravity, IMG, Sunset & Vine and Whisper.
Other companies offering exciting 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.
The training will take place in Manchester, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Chepstow, Glasgow, Leeds or London.
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.
The course starts on September 18. Deadline for applications: May 28.
