Prime Video Craft Academy Apprenticeship

OVERVIEW

Ready to take on your first big Industry role?

If you are committed to working in the film and television industry, are flexible to all departments and have an ambition to develop a craft specialism, then this is the opportunity for you. You'll be paid as you learn!

Prime Video Pathway Logo

"We are thrilled to be playing our part in nurturing and diversifying the next generation of TV and film talent. This is the best-in-class training and placement programme where you can kickstart your careers."

Tara Erer

Head of Northern Europe Originals at Amazon MGM Studios

“The Prime Video Craft Academy has been instrumental in breaking the barrier to entry into Production. The placements in conjunction with the training has prepared me to confidently enter the industry.”

Olu

Year Two Apprentice

“The Prime Video Craft Academy apprenticeship has allowed me to learn, network and experience all aspects of the television industry. The industry contacts that I’ve made will help me thrive and propel my career forward”

Charlie

Year Two Apprentice

The Prime Video Craft Academy Apprenticeship delivered by the National Film and Television School has places for eight people based in Beaconsfield (London) and two in the North on the Level 4 Junior Production Coordinator Apprenticeship.
The 10 Apprenticeship participants will:

Be given a 15-month contract of employment with the NFTS to complete the apprenticeship
Gain hands on skills, knowledge and experience from experts in the industry
Work on some of the biggest TV productions, predominantly unscripted, currently being made in the UK for Prime Video or by trusted partners
Learn key Production Management skills and apply this in the workplace
Access training and support from the NFTS, which is widely regarded to be one of the top film schools in the world
Be awarded a Level 4 Junior Production Coordinator apprenticeship (comparable to a Higher National Certificate (HNC)) on successful completion of the programme

We particularly welcome applications from historically excluded groups; i.e. those from racial backgrounds, disabled talent and those from lower social economic backgrounds.

We provide support for those with accessibility and adjustment needs at all stages of the application process.
We are also offering a 12-month traineeship for people who are interested in a range of craft departments. Please read our Traineeship page to find out more information.

About the scheme: In 2022 Prime Video announced Prime Video Pathway (PVP), a first-of-its-kind, multifaceted £10million training initiative designed to open up access to jobs in the TV and film industry across the UK. The Prime Video Craft Academy is one of the key initiatives of PVP and is fully funded by Prime Video. Prime Video has a flagship collaboration with the UK’s leading TV and film school, the National Film & Television School and works closely with the NFTS to help support the apprentices with placements, training and connections.

Successful applicants will be employed by the NFTS on a 15-month fixed-term contract and earn £33,800 per year.

Training

At the beginning of this programme, participants will be given block training delivered by the NFTS in Beaconsfield, and will be exposed to a range of production departments, within both scripted and unscripted film and television, in order to build their wider understanding of production. They will focus on production management, and will be introduced to all the key skills required such as Budgeting, Scheduling, Logistics, Legal, Copyright, Health and Safety and Production Paperwork. The Curriculum is designed around the Level 4 Junior Production Coordinator standard.

Apprentices also have access to the NFTS wide Masterclasses, which this year have included Oscar-winning Cinematographer Roger Deakins, BAFTA Nominated Writer and Director Rose Glass, BBC Chief Content Office Charlotte Moore, and Actor, Producer and Writer Stephen Graham.

Applying from the North?

We are offering bursaries for candidates from Leeds, Manchester and surrounding areas, to support with accommodation costs to attend the initial training in Beaconsfield which is approximately 8-10 weeks. You must be able to be based in Beaconsfield for the whole term and follow up block release training.

During the apprenticeship you will either be working on a UK-produced Amazon Original Series or with trusted Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios supply partners or you will be participating in NFTS training (either in person at the NFTS in Beaconsfield or online).

In 2024, apprentices were placed with some incredible production companies including: 72 Films, CPL Productions, Curve Media, Drama Republic, Forest, Mindhouse, Optomen, Roast Beef Productions and Voltage TV.

While on placements, apprentices will have regular touch points with the NFTS with masterclasses, 121s, progress reviews and assignments.

End Point Assessment

The apprenticeship training culminates with the undertaking of an end point assessment (EPA). This is to measure the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you have developed during the programme and to ensure competence within the role. For this L4 apprenticeship there are two assessment methods.

Method 1 – this has two components:
o Component 1 - Completion of a production project following production processes, to be completed over 12 weeks.
o Component 2 – Presentation with supplementary questioning – this is a summary of the production project (20 min presentation & 40 min questioning)
Method 2 – Professional Discussion underpinned by portfolio – this allows the assessor to test the apprentice’s knowledge, fill in gaps and talk through the breadth of understanding (2 hrs)

The NFTS will provide advice and guidance during the apprenticeship in preparation for the EPA and will provide ongoing support throughout EPA.

After the programme

Upon completion of the programme, the NFTS and Prime Video will work with the individual participants to plan and support their next steps hopefully into full-time work within the screen industries. Although no further work or placements are guaranteed at this stage.

We welcome candidates who

Are committed to and passionate about a career in film and television and focussed on working in production management
Are particularly interested in unscripted film and television
Have a brilliant ‘can-do’ attitude
Work effectively on their own and or collaboratively in group settings to achieve goals
Have a drive and determination to complete required tasks of the role
Are able to highlight how they maintain their knowledge and understanding of latest trends, high rating shows and consumer engagement (this may be via social media, campaigns etc)
Consume and watch hours and hours of TV, film and content across the broadest range of genres. Don’t just tell us you’re passionate about programme-making – you’ll need to prove it. What have you done to make you stand out from the crowd?

You are eligible if:

You have less than one year’s paid experience working on a professional television or film production in any role or department in the last 5 years.
AND
You have no more than 6 months paid experience in production management in the last 5 years.

We particularly welcome applications from non-graduates - this apprenticeship is primarily directed at those who haven’t been to university and studied film and television

This apprenticeship is not for you if you already have a lot of experience in production management or if you’re interested in working in any other department.

Applicants are required to hold a GCSE in English and Maths at Grade 4 / C or above.

Please note that we are unable to sponsor candidates for these roles, so we are only able to accept applications from candidates who are able to demonstrate their right to live and work in the UK. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, we will not be able to progress your application. Please see the FAQs below for further information on apprenticeship eligibility.

At the NFTS, people are at the heart of what we do. We’re an inclusive employer and are committed to equality of opportunity, and building a culturally diverse workforce. We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and to increasing our representation of staff from ethnically diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds.

NFTS BEACONSFIELD

*bursaries offered for apprentices from the North to attend training in Beaconsfield.

There are no fees to pay for this scheme.

As an apprentice at the NFTS, you'll be paid a salary of £33,800.

While working as an apprentice you'll receive training and be paid for your regular working hours (typically 35 – 55 hrs per week).

You'll also be entitled to 20 days paid holiday each year, plus bank holidays.

You will need to submit one combined PDF including:

Your CV – this should be no more than two sides. Please include latest education qualifications.
A covering letter detailing why you are applying and what you hope to achieve as part of the apprenticeship. We recommend that this should be between 300 and 500 words. Please include where you are based and if you are based in the North and applying for the bursary.
Please also tell us in no more than 500 words what you’re currently watching and enjoying – and why - and your all-time TV favourite programmes and films.
Please also let us know if you need us to make any reasonable adjustments while you are applying or taking up the apprenticeship, so we can make this process and apprenticeship as inclusive as possible.
A completed written reference from someone who knows your work and your commitment to working in film and television (it may be a tutor, teacher, current boss, voluntary organisation etc who can evidence your passion for TV).

These documents should be saved as one PDF named ‘Your Full Name – Prime Video Craft Academy Apprenticeship Application’ and sent to primeacademy@nfts.co.uk

Please also complete this google form, which includes an equal opportunity form.

The application is available in alternative formats for accessibility. Please email to request an alternative application format.primeacademy@nfts.co.uk

Please ensure that you follow these instructions carefully as, if you do not submit in this way, your application will not be considered. If you have additional needs and require support with your application please let us know.

Applications will close at midnight on Wednesday 18th September

Applications received after this date will not be considered. We receive a high volume of applications therefore we would encourage you to apply early.

Online Open Days

If you are interested in applying and want to find out more, please attend one of our online open days. You’ll meet some of the current trainees and there will be an opportunity to ask any questions that you might have.

NFTS Events page

Promo & Case Study

Play video

Prime Video Craft Academy Apprenticeship Promo

Find out more about this amazing opportunity from the participants themselves.

Play video

Eugenia: Production Assistant trainee

Eugenia had a brilliant placement working with Voltage TV as a Production Assistant as part of the Prime Video Craft Academy.

Selection Process

Stage 1

The National Film and Television School will read all eligible applications and decide on a shortlist.

We will be looking for applicants who show a level of commitment, passion and skills from past experiences. Please give details of interests or other activities you have done that would be an asset in the film and TV industry. Transferable skills are important, as is any extra curricula work – eg work with charities, on social media and independent content producing.

Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via email. However, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are not able to provide individual feedback at this point.

Before being approved for attendance at the selection workshop, applicants will be asked to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK, and of their Maths and English qualifications.

Stage 2

Up to 20 applicants will be shortlisted to attend a selection workshop which will take place in person over the three days of 6th – 8th November 2024 hosted at The National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield. Please don’t apply for the apprenticeship if you are not available on these dates. You will be notified by 16th October if you have progressed to this stage. Bursaries are available to help those in need of financial support to meet the out-of-pocket travel and accommodation expenses of attending the workshop.

The selection workshop will involve learning about the film and TV industry, participating in practical workshops and an interview.

After the selection workshop the NFTS will write to all candidates to advise them of the outcome by the end of November. Unsuccessful candidates who attend the selection workshop will receive individual feedback.

Apprenticeship contracts will start on 1st January 2025 and will run until 31st March 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please make every attempt to attend one of our briefing sessions – our online open days are listed on our events page – as this will probably answer most of your questions, help you understand the process and give you a better chance of being successful.

Q: When is the closing date for applications?
A: 18th September 2024

Q: What happens if I apply after the deadline has closed?
A: Your application will not be considered. This opportunity is open for applications for eight weeks and no late applications will be considered.

Q: When will I hear back about my application?
A: All applicants will be contacted to let them know whether or not they have progressed to the second round by the 16th of October.

Q: When will the interviews take place?
A: Interviews will take place as part of the selection workshop over the three days of 6th –8th November

Q: Where will the selection workshop and interviews take place?
A: They will be at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield.

Q: What happens if I am successful in my application, but I don’t live near where the productions are taking place or the training course?
A: You need to be located – or relocate – to be near to the NFTS in Beaconsfield to benefit fully from the apprenticeship on offer. You may need to commute or even move away from home temporarily to work on production. We are offering bursaries for candidates from Leeds, Manchester and surrounding areas, to support with accommodation costs to attend the initial training in Beaconsfield.

Q: If I relocate will the programme support with relocation fees or housing?
A: We are unable to support with relocation fees or housing so you will need to be able to be based a commutable distance from Beaconsfield (London). The exception is for candidates from Leeds/Manchester and surrounding areas who apply for a bursary to enable them to train at the NFTS in Beaconsfield, before returning to their home town for placements. If you would like to apply for this bursary, please include this in your cover letter.
Production takes place all over the UK so apprentices should be prepared to commute or temporarily relocate at points during their apprenticeship. We will do our best to minimise the need for travel and will aim to find you placements near home in the first instance. Apprentices will often be expected to travel to work at offices and studios within the M25 – you must be able to do this from your home address for early morning starts. If temporary relocation is necessary to work on a production, we will consider requests for bursaries to support apprentices as needed.

Q: Which productions will I get to work on?
A: Due to the nature of production, it isn’t possible to confirm which productions trainees will work on in advance or where they will be based. Production takes place all over the UK so trainees should be prepared to commute or temporarily relocate at points during their traineeship. We will do our best to minimise the need for travel and will aim to find you placements near home in the first instance. If temporary relocation is necessary, we will consider requests for bursaries to support trainees as needed.

Q: What hours will I do?
A: During training your weekly hours will be based on a standard 35-hour week. However, during production placements, this may be up to 55 hours per week.

Q: If I’m busy or working on the dates of the selection workshop, can I still take part in this programme?
A: No attendance at these three days are a compulsory part of the process.

Q: I’m under 18, but I really want to start working, can I apply?
A: Due to health and safety, all applicants must be 18 or over on or before 1st January 2025

Q: Is this aimed at school/college/uni leavers only?
A: While we have a minimum age of 18 there is no maximum age. We would welcome applications from those with transferrable skills who might be looking to move into the TV and Film industry.

Q: How long will the apprenticeship last?
A: The apprenticeship lasts for 15 months. You will be on a full-time contract for the duration of the apprenticeship, so you will need to be available to work and study for the whole period and you are not expected to take on outside work.

Q: What's the pay?
A: You will be paid a salary of £33,800 before tax.

Q: If I am successful, when will I start?
A: The start date will be 1 January 2025

Q: Will I be eligible for holiday leave?
A: As an employee of the National Film and Television School, you will receive 20 days of paid leave per year plus bank holidays. When you can take it will need to be negotiated and agreed.

Q: Do I need to have a driving licence?
A: No, you do not need a driving licence to apply for this scheme. However, being able to drive is a really valuable skill in this industry so we will be offering bursaries towards the cost of driving lessons to support any of our apprentices who would like to learn.

Q: I know I want to be a Director / Screenwriter is this the right thing for me? I want to work in editorial roles – eg researcher is this the right course for me?
A: No, this is for people who want to work in production management.

Q: I’m already working in my chosen specialism, is this the right thing for me?
A: This is a foundation training scheme. If you’re already working in production management, this is not the right scheme for you.

Q: The website says that you welcome applications from historically excluded groups. What does that mean?
A: The under-represented groups we look at primarily relate to the protected characteristics as defined in the UK Equality Act 2010. You should use the following list as a guide for what areas of historically excluded groups we are seeking to address:
• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
In addition to the protected characteristics recognised by the Act, the NFTS also seeks to address historically excluded groups in the following areas:
• Regional participation
• Socio-economic inclusion
• Caring responsibilities

Q: What adjustment and accessibility support is available?
A: We aim to support the needs of our deaf, disabled and neurodivergent applicants and will work with the individual(s) on a case-by-case basis to determine their needs. In the past we have made provisions which have included: additional support with the application process and provided external support during the apprenticeship.

Q: What is the difference between the Prime Video Craft Academy traineeship and the Prime Video Craft Academy apprenticeship?
A: The traineeship will engage you in training and employment on placements over the course of 12 months and is for people who are interested in developing a craft specialism. The apprenticeship runs over 15 months and is for those who are focussed on working in Production Management. The training and documentation of your work while you are on placement adheres to the apprenticeship standard for the Media Production Co-ordinator. This is a formal qualification, which at the end provides you with a higher apprenticeship award.

Q: What work is involved in “passing/qualifying” for an apprenticeship?
A: During the apprenticeship, you will have to complete a range of assignments to demonstrate that you have developed the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours outlined in the Standard. During the last three months of the apprenticeship, you will undertake a production project as part of your end point assessment. You will need to document your project and write a report at the end. The training will prepare you for this, and you will receive ongoing mentoring support throughout the apprenticeship. Once the project is concluded, you will write a report and be assessed in a presentation and discussion.

Q: Will there be additional training for the apprenticeship?
A: Whilst there will be some overlap in the training between traineeships and apprenticeships, the apprenticeship training will be more specific in the discipline of production co-ordination.

Q: Why is there a longer contract for the apprenticeship?
A: It is a legal requirement for apprenticeship training to have a minimum duration of 12 months. After that is the assessment period, during which you be employed at the same salary as the training/placement period and gain additional experience during your project.

Q: Can I apply for both the traineeship and apprenticeship?
A: No. For the apprenticeship we are looking for candidates who are very focussed in Production Management and who are based in Beaconsfield/London. If you are not fully committed to Production Management, and would like to experience different departments, or if you are committed to Production Management but would like to be based in either Cardiff or Glasgow, we would advise applying for the traineeship. If you are fully committed to Production Management and are based in Beaconsfield/London, we would advise applying for the apprenticeship.

Q: What happens at the end of apprenticeship?
A: Upon completion of the programme, the NFTS and Prime Video will work with the individual participants to plan and support their next steps. And, of course, you will have gained skills and experience that are very much in demand in the industry. We can’t guarantee you will be offered further work.

Q: Will I be supported throughout the programme?
A: The Prime Video Craft Academy Manager based at the NFTS will be on hand to provide support and advice to the trainees throughout the programme, with mentorship from NFTS Heads of Department (HODs) and access to NFTS tuition. The NFTS will manage each participant’s attachment to TV productions.

Q: Can I apply for an apprenticeship as an international student?
A: Yes, although apprentices must live and be eligible to work in the UK. Applicants born overseas but who live in the UK must meet additional eligibility criteria which can be found on the Department for Education website.

Q: Am I eligible for an apprenticeship?
A: Due to government apprenticeship funding rules, you will not be eligible for an apprenticeship if:
•    You are resident in the United Kingdom on a student visa (although there are exceptions to this)
•    Are in the United Kingdom on holiday, with or without a visa
•    Have overstayed your immigration or visitor visa
•    Are a family member of a person granted a student visa, have been given immigration permission to stay in the UK and have not been ordinarily resident in the UK for the previous three years on the first day of learning
•    Are ordinarily resident in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man, unless you are also ordinarily resident within England
•    Have a biometric residence permit or residence permit imposing a study prohibition or restriction on the individual.

If you unsure about the criteria listed below, please contact us on primeacademy@nfts.co.uk

Q: How many days will I get to study?
A: At least 20% of your time on the apprenticeship will be spent studying towards your End Point Assessment. This could be in the form of block release, virtual or face to face.

If you have any further questions, please contact primeacademy@nfts.co.uk

Prime Video Craft Academy Apprenticeship