Framestore has announced that the inaugural VFX Apprenticeship scheme has now launched. The first cohort of 10 apprentices have now been placed in Junior 2D and Assistant Technical Director roles across the London VFX industry.
The first of its kind in the UK, the scheme will allow the apprentices to study for a Level 4 apprenticeship while working within industry-leading companies including Framestore, Lexhag, Double Negative and The Mill on a range of creative projects spanning film, TV, advertising and digital.
Thanks to the Get In Go Far government-backed campaign, young people within the UK are increasingly opting to launch their careers within their chosen fields by taking on an apprenticeship, drawn by the prospects of earning a salary, attaining qualifications while they work, and getting the hands-on experience needed to introduce them to the industry.
London’s VFX and post-production industries are leading the global marketplace, and this sector remains one of the fastest-growing in the UK. Responding to the industry-wide desire to further develop the talent pipeline here on home turf, the apprenticeships aim to encourage young people from diverse backgrounds to take their first steps into an exciting and thriving industry.
Says Amy Smith, Global Head of Recruitment, “I’m so thrilled that the London VFX community is welcoming our first 10 apprentices this year. Our cohort come from a diverse range of backgrounds including Creative Media, Engineering, Fine Art, Product Design, Maths, Physics and Animation and throughout the application and interview process really demonstrated to us their passion and commitment to a career in this industry. We hope that the apprenticeship becomes a valuable addition to our already established career entry routes including internships, Runner programs and graduate training academies and that it will also provide a clear progression from the NextGen Level 3 Extended Diploma that we developed in collaboration with the Games and Animation industries.”