Fancy a job on BBC drama Waterloo Road? Trainee roles on offer in Manchester

Early next year, Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall Media are establishing a major production base in Manchester to produce Waterloo Road, which has been commissioned by BBC1 and BBC iPlayer.

Alongside the production they will be also establishing a new Production Development Trainee Scheme with an aim and vision to inspire and encourage a new generation of talent for the sector.

With the support and assistance of Screen Manchester, the six month paid programme which commences in February 2022 is targeted at eight individuals based within the Greater Manchester area, as they recognise that the broadcast industry needs to provide greater access to careers in the creative sector.

The available trainee roles will cover key scripted departments across the drama, including production, sound, camera, make-up, costume, electrical, locations, art department and music supervision.

This will allow trainees to ensure engagement with a particular skill area but will also offer learning about the production process more broadly.

“We are keen to offer experience of the shooting environment to a wide variety of new entrants to the industry and by working in conjunction with industry partners, we hope to build a reputation for encouraging and educating individuals to all aspects of the television production process and enhancing the skills in their chosen area,” says Cameron Roach, executive producer at Rope Ladder Fiction.

Elli Metcalfe, crew and facilities at Screen Manchester, says: “Screen Manchester is delighted to support such a fantastic training opportunity for locally based new entrants.

“It’s great to see that the BBC, Wall to Wall and Rope Ladder Fiction are recognising the need to train new talent which in turn will address the crew shortages the industry is experiencing in the UK as a whole.”

Leanne Klein, managing director and head of Wall to Wall Media, says: “Wall to Wall are enormously proud to be working with Rope Ladder Fiction and Screen Manchester to offer trainee opportunities to budding crew members from the local area.

“Through production of Waterloo Road, we want to open doors and create valuable career opportunities for aspiring behind-the-scenes talent, and we look forward to unearthing the next generation of crew in the north on such an exciting and large-scale drama production in Greater Manchester.”

Trainees will be required to work 11-hour days and must be able to commit to the six month engagement. The production base will be in Salford. They are seeking passionate, hardworking individuals who are keen to learn and take on responsibility on a working production. To apply for this TV Production Trainee Scheme, click here.