U.K. Production Managers Shortage Finally Addressed by Britain’s Top Broadcasters
variety.comManori Ravindran International EditorA dearth of production management skills in the British TV industry is finally being addressed by U.K.’s top broadcasters.The BBC, Channel 4, Paramount (which owns Channel 5) and UKTV are joining forces to tackle the skills gap by each creating a Production Management Skills Fund that will be used “to boost the volume of production management skills and capacity in the sector.” The fund — for which the broadcasters are, collectively, committing £1 million over the next year — will ease the short-term strain in production management and build a long-term talent pool.Notably, commercial broadcasters ITV and Sky aren’t currently participating in the fund.
Variety has reached out for comment. Line producers, production managers and production coordinators are regularly cited as one of the most difficult roles for independent production companies to recruit.
The issue has been put in sharp relief as the demand rises for U.K.-shot productions, and production managers are needed more than ever to help with COVID protocols and Albert environmental sustainability certification.Production companies will be able to draw on the PM Skills Fund to support “additional” roles: This encompasses a “step-up role” for a more junior production manager or coordinator to work alongside and learn from a more experienced role; and transferring to a mid-level role for someone with transferable skills from another industry (e.g.
event or theater management).The participating broadcasters will use the fund to contribute at least 50% of the salaries of these additional roles for the duration of a production.
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