Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden (WBSL) has opened the doors to CrewHQ, a dedicated on-site training centre.
WBSL said that CrewHQ will see a team of industry professionals deliver activity focused on ‘below the line’ crew across UK based WBD productions including feature films and TV; serving WBD divisions including WWB Pictures, WBTV and HBO.
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The initiative is designed to help develop talent, retain crew and create a diverse, skilled workforce.
In addition to on-site activity the programme will offer careers days highlighting the roles available for a new generation of talent.
Following a pilot careers day for Barbie, the next session will be held in December for Wonka. These are designed to open up opportunities to new entrants as well as support those with transferable skills looking to move into the industry. Other activities will include production and leadership training, funded placements, work shadowing and upskilling existing crew.
Earlier this year WBSL announced plans to expand the facility with the addition of 10 new sound stages and another 400,000 square feet of production and support space growing the production capacity by more than 50%.
Emily Stillman, SVP Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, commented: “CrewHQ offers a dynamic training environment which allows us to react quickly to industry demand. Crucially we can also use our resources and assets to support new entrants to the industry and ensure we break down barriers of entry to open up career pathways for a more diverse workforce.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “The UK’s film and TV industry is one of the best in the world, renowned for first-class talent both in front and behind the camera. We want to maximise the potential of our creative industries by an extra £50 billion and support one million more jobs by 2030 and build a pipeline of talent that will power industry far into the future. Through the UK Screen Sector Skills Task Force, Warner Bros. Discovery has already helped develop a plan that will drive investment in production skills, and now CrewHQ will inspire and upskill the next generation by providing bespoke training and creating career routes for people of all backgrounds.”
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