BBC and YouTube launch creator training programme

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The BBC and YouTube have launched a partnership with the National Film and Television School (NFTS) to help upskill the next generation of creatives across the UK.

Under the training programme, which kicked off in Birmingham on Thursday, 150 media professionals, including TV producers, digital creators and journalists, will develop their YouTube and production skills through workshops and events.

A series of workshops will be held both online and at BBC hubs in Birmingham, Salford, Glasgow, Newcastle, Belfast and Cardiff.

According to YouTube's recent Creator Consultation, only 17% of UK creators have access to the right training.

About 13% said they had enough access to studio spaces, and only 9% felt they had enough support in securing filming locations.

Alison Lomax, managing director for YouTube UK and Ireland, said the industry had not kept pace with the "scale or speed of today's digital talent".

"By launching this nationwide partnership, we are aiming to bridge that gap - providing the digital strategies and practical expertise needed to empower extraordinary talent in every corner of the UK," she said.

The scheme, also supported by industry body ScreenSkills, launched at a Create X Connect event in Digbeth on Thursday.

Organisers said the programme would bring together the NFTS's "world-class technical mastery," the BBC's reputation for trusted storytelling and YouTube's next-generation of talent and access to global audiences.

They added it represented a "significant investment" and a shared commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of location, had access to world-class skills and training.

Rhodri Talfan Davies, BBC interim director general, added the broadcaster was pleased to be part of a partnership "championing the next generation of leading content creators and helping supercharge UK storytelling".

"Beyond that, the BBC is proud to play our role in supporting jobs, skills and training to help drive creative and economic growth right across the UK," he added.

"We offer hundreds of established apprenticeship and training schemes in broadcast and related areas, and now we are investing in the next generation of talented creators."

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