University of York launches new training and mentoring programme for Yorkshire and Humber graduates to encourage diversity in the TV and film industry

Posted on 9 August 2021

The University of York is launching a free, six month training and mentoring programme to encourage diversity across the TV and film industry.

Applications are now open for the new scheme, which starts in October 2021.

Run by the University’s Screen Industries Growth Network (SIGN), the Early Careers Support scheme is open to 30 graduates from the Yorkshire and the Humber region, and is designed to support those who are in the early stages of their career but are not at the level they want to be or are struggling to break into the sector.

The scheme’s organisers are keen to encourage applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in the screen industries. This includes disabled people, people from diverse ethnicities, people from lower socio-economic groups, people who identify as LGBTQ+, or those over the age of 35 who are wanting to break into the screen industries for the first time, or returning to the industries after a period of absence.

People who entered university from a widening participation background are also welcome to apply, including those who have experienced care, those estranged from their families, people who were the first in their immediate family to go to university, and people from parts of the region where progression to university is less than the national average.

Diverse talent
Starting in October 2021, the programme will involve monthly scheduled training, assignment to a mentor and access to SIGN events and webinars to develop participants' professional networks, confidence and careers in the TV and film industry.

Andrew Higson, Director of SIGN and Professor of Film and Television at the University of York tells us: “The Early Careers Support scheme is a region-wide scheme offering a prospective talent pipeline for screen industry businesses in the Yorkshire and the Humber region. It's a top priority for us to encourage applications from talented individuals from diverse backgrounds who can contribute to the future success of the screen industries and ensure the production of diverse content for diverse audiences. The scheme will contribute to our ambition to make this region one of the UK’s leading centres for digital creativity and a model of diverse and inclusive activity.”

Applications open on Monday, 9 August 2021, and close at midnight on Friday, 3 September 2021.

Further information:

The Screen Industries Growth Network (SIGN) is a unique, business-facing initiative supporting the TV, film and games industries in Yorkshire and the Humber. SIGN aims to make this region the UK’s centre for digital creativity, and a model of diverse and inclusive activity.

SIGN is based within the Department of Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media at the University of York.

Twitter: @screen_network

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xr-stories-and-sign

SIGN: https://screen-network.org.uk/

Early Careers Support: https://screen-network.org.uk/project/early-careers-support/