As part of an apprenticeship programme, 24 year old Chloe Koffler from Prestatyn had the experience of working on the 21st series of ITV’s I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here – which has inspired her to follow a career path in Film and TV.
Criw Production Apprenticeship Programme is run by Wales based training provider Sgil Cymru on behalf of Grwp Llandrillo Menai. An initial cohort of six apprentices started their apprenticeship in October this year. Creative Wales and the Welsh Government have supported this new style of apprenticeship which is open to those who are keen to work behind the scenes on film & TV productions.
During her time on the production Chloe worked with the Covid and Community team which included tasks relating to making the production Covid safe with crew testing, monitoring Covid signage around site, and helping to ensure the smooth running of all Covid procedures and protocols. With Storm Arwen also hitting north Wales the crew had plenty to contend with – as the show was disrupted for a few nights.
Chloe said: “Behind the scenes, everyone came together to efficiently deal with the emergency, allowing the show to get back on air within days, and that came down to the professionalism and fantastic teamwork of everyone on site.”
Criw provide placements on a variety of productions over a 12 month period with a paid salary to support participants whilst they learn. This aligns with the Welsh Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee commitment to provide everyone under 25 in Wales with the offer of work, education, training or self-employment and to expand the use of shared and degree apprenticeships to give people more flexible routes into training and a career.
On her future ambitions, Chloe, said: “Having the opportunity to work on I’m a celebrity in the Covid and community team allowed me to meet people from all departments. In doing so, I realised I would love to work in script. However, I also want to gain as much experience as I can through my placements with Sgil Cymru. I believe this will then put me in a good position to pursue a career within the tv and film industry.”
Three further apprentices have been working at Rondo Media in Caernarfon, Alwyn Davies, Finance Director, Rondo Media, said: “We’re delighted that we are able to welcome the Sgil Cymru apprentices into Rondo – to gain valuable experience on our Sgorio and Rownd a Rownd productions and also within our postproduction and outside broadcast facilities. It’s crucial that we in North Wales capitalise on the growth in the industry and that we strive to develop a new generation of talent who will be able to grow successful careers here in North Wales.”
Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, said: “We want to build the confidence of young people to find a good quality job where they live, and apprenticeships are an excellent way of doing this. They also give us an opportunity to foster the talent and skills that this growing sector will need in the future. I want to ensure that the next generation views the creative industries as an accessible and rewarding career choice, providing our young people in Wales with future employment opportunities – in a sector providing valued content, serving all audiences, and which is key to supporting our future economic growth.”
