In our new podcast, CRIW, Barry Roberts & Sue Jeffries discuss apprenticeships in the creative industry in Wales. Barry completed his Sgil Cymru apprenticeship at BBC Cymru Wales working in the Art Department during 2018 – 2019. At our recent ‘Dathliad’, Barry was awarded the Creative Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by Creative Risk Solutions.
Prior to the apprenticeship, Barry was working as a freelance Graphics Designer, and had the opportunity to take part in a work experience project at the BBC Roath Lock. Whilst Barry was completing his work experience at the BBC, a former apprentice, who now works as an Art Director at Pobol y Cwm, suggested he should apply for the next cohort of apprenticeships. Since Barry at the time also wanted to work his way up to being an Art Director, he felt this would be the perfect opportunity to learn new skills and to build up his experience.
Barry worked on several productions such as Dr Who, Casualty and Pobol Y Cwm during his time at the BBC. Since he is profoundly deaf, adjustments were made so that Barry could work properly and confidently at the studio, but there were many challenges along the way. For instance, in one of the studios where Barry was based, there was a bell that was rung to convey when recording was starting. Obviously, this proved difficult for a profoundly deaf member of staff, so adaptations had to be made. it was decided to add a light to the bell so that Barry would know when they were filming., as well as making sure that there was a buddy system with another member of staff making sure that Barry knew that the recording bell and light had been switched on. The BBC were very supportive in adjusting to the needs of Barry and understood the impact of his hearing difficulties.
Wedi’i leoli yn Great Point Seren Stiwdios (Stiwdio Pinewood Cymru gynt) yng Nghaerdydd, mae gan y tîm fwy na 100 mlynedd o brofiad mewn hyfforddiant a chynhyrchu dwyieithog yn y cyfryngau rhyngddynt. Mae aelodau o dîm Sgil Cymru wedi hyfforddi dros 100 o brentisiaid trwy gyd-weithio gyda chwmnïau ar draws de Cymru, gan gynnwys BBC Cymru Wales, Equinox Communications, Golley Slater, ITV Cymru Wales, Real SFX, Amplified Business Content ac S4C. Trwy bartneriaeth gyda ScreenSkills, mae Sgil Cymru yn cyflwyno pecyn o gyrsiau hyfforddi ar gyfer y diwydiant ffilm a theledu y DU.
Am fwy o wybodaeth am brentisiaethau, ewch i: www.sgilcymru.com
Based at Great Point Seren Stiwdios (formerly Pinewood Studio Wales) in Cardiff, the team has more than 100 years combined experience in bilingual media training and production. The Sgil Cymru team have trained over 100 apprentices by working with companies across south Wales including BBC Cymru Wales, Equinox Communications, Golley Slater, ITV Cymru Wales, Real SFX, Amplified Business Content and S4C. Through partnership with ScreenSkills, Sgil Cymru is delivering a package of training courses for the UK film & TV industry.
For more info about Media Apprenticeships in Wales, head to: www.sgilcymru.com
