ScreenSkills

ScreenSkills is the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based creative industries, encompassing film, high-end television, children's television, unscripted television, animation, visual effects, and games. Unlike traditional training providers that charge tuition and deliver courses directly, ScreenSkills operates as a strategic intermediary — funded by the British Film Institute (BFI) using National Lottery funds and by direct contributions from the screen industry through the Film, High-end TV, Children's TV, and Unscripted TV Skills Funds — that identifies skills gaps, endorses quality training providers, facilitates bursaries and subsidies, places trainees on professional productions, and publishes authoritative research on the UK screen industry workforce. The BFI has invested over £30 million in workforce development through ScreenSkills, making it one of the most significant publicly funded creative industry training initiatives in the world. For actors working in or targeting the UK screen industry, ScreenSkills provides an essential free resource hub covering career guidance, industry standards, professional development, and access to vetted training — it is effectively the UK screen industry's official guide to building and sustaining a professional career.

In 2025, ScreenSkills offers a comprehensive suite of free online resources specifically designed for screen industry professionals at every career stage. For actors, the most directly relevant resources include career pathway guides that map the progression from aspiring performer to established professional in the UK market, set etiquette modules that teach the protocols and practices expected on professional film and television sets, production workflow overviews that explain how the various departments on a production interact, health and safety on set training that is increasingly required by UK productions, and practical guides to the business of acting in the UK including Equity membership, tax registration (including the complexities of self-employment for performers), and navigating the British casting landscape. The ScreenSkills Select endorsement program vets and endorses higher and further education courses across the UK that demonstrate genuine industry relevance and employer input in their curriculum design — this endorsement helps actors identify legitimate, high-quality training programs and avoid the unregulated programs that proliferate in the performing arts education market. The organization also publishes regular research reports on industry trends, skills gaps, and employment patterns — including the 'Sizing Up' report published in April 2025 with Ampere Analysis — that provide actors with data-driven insights for career planning.

Accessing ScreenSkills resources requires nothing more than visiting screenskills.com — no registration, subscription, or payment is necessary for the majority of online resources including career guides, skills checklists, e-learning modules, and research publications. Free registration on the website provides access to additional features including the bursary application system, the course directory with ScreenSkills Select-endorsed programs, and personalized career development tools. The bursary program is particularly significant — ScreenSkills offers year-round applications for funding that can cover training course fees and work-related costs, with eligibility criteria varying by fund but generally accessible to individuals working in or entering the UK screen industry. For actors, this means that professional development training — from specialist workshops to longer certification programs — may be available at reduced or no cost through ScreenSkills funding. The website's navigation is organized by role and career stage, making it easy for actors to find resources specifically relevant to their needs rather than sifting through content designed for other screen industry disciplines.

Beyond its free online resources, ScreenSkills operates several programs that directly impact actors' careers in the UK screen industry. The Trainee Finder Programme, consolidated into a single unified program for 2025/26 running from April 2025 through March 2026, places trainees on professional film, high-end TV, and children's TV productions — while primarily targeted at below-the-line crew roles, the program provides actors with insight into the production environments they will work in and creates connections within the UK production community. The Make a Move program, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2025, supports mid-career progression for screen industry professionals looking to advance to the next level. The free e-learning modules on diversity, equity, and inclusion are increasingly referenced by UK productions as part of their commitment to creating inclusive working environments. The sustainability standards and checklists, developed in partnership with the BFI and BAFTA albert, address the growing industry focus on environmental responsibility in production. The Discover! Creative Careers Month, expanded to a full November program in 2025 reaching over 80,000 young people, introduces the next generation to screen industry careers including acting.

ScreenSkills serves the entire UK screen industry workforce, from entry-level trainees to established professionals across all disciplines — actors, directors, producers, writers, camera operators, sound recordists, editors, visual effects artists, and dozens of other roles that make up the screen production ecosystem. For actors specifically, the resources are most valuable during two career phases: the transition from training to professional work (when knowledge of set etiquette, production workflows, and industry business practices is essential) and ongoing career development (when understanding industry trends, accessing training bursaries, and staying current with changing standards becomes important for sustained success). The ScreenSkills Select endorsement helps actors at all stages identify quality training — from drama schools and university programs for those still in education to short courses and CPD programs for working professionals. The organization's industry-funded model means its perspectives and recommendations are informed by what employers (producers, production companies, broadcasters) actually need from the workforce, which gives its career guidance an authority and practicality that independently published advice often lacks.

All ScreenSkills online resources — career guides, e-learning modules, skills checklists, research reports, and the course directory — are completely free. The organization does not charge individuals for access to its digital content, registration, or career development tools. Training bursaries are available through year-round application and can cover course fees and work-related costs, effectively making some external training programs free or significantly reduced in cost for eligible applicants. The ScreenSkills Select endorsement of external training programs does not affect pricing — endorsed courses charge their standard tuition fees, but the endorsement helps ensure that your investment goes to a program that meets industry standards. Some ScreenSkills-facilitated programs, such as the Trainee Finder placements, provide paid positions on professional productions. The free model is sustained by industry funding through the BFI National Lottery allocation and direct contributions from the Film, High-end TV, Children's TV, and Unscripted TV Skills Funds — essentially, the UK screen industry collectively funds workforce development for its own benefit, and individual practitioners access this investment at no personal cost.

If you are an actor working in or targeting the UK screen industry at any career stage, ScreenSkills should be one of your first stops for career information, training guidance, and professional development support. For actors transitioning from training to professional work, the set etiquette, production workflow, and business of acting resources provide essential practical knowledge that most drama schools and acting courses do not adequately cover — completing these modules before your first professional job will make you a more confident, competent, and employable performer on set. For working actors seeking ongoing professional development, the bursary programs can make training more affordable and the industry research publications inform strategic career planning. For actors outside the UK who are interested in working in the British screen industry, ScreenSkills provides the most comprehensive and authoritative overview of how the UK market operates, what standards apply, and what training is respected. If you are looking for actual acting instruction and coaching rather than career guidance and industry information, ScreenSkills should complement but not replace dedicated acting training from schools, coaches, and platforms.

Complete the set etiquette and production workflow e-learning modules before your first professional booking — this knowledge is expected by UK productions and will prevent the embarrassing mistakes that mark inexperienced performers on set. Check the bursary application page regularly and apply for funding whenever eligible — even if you are not sure you will be accepted, the application process itself helps you articulate your professional development goals. Use the ScreenSkills Select directory when evaluating drama schools, university programs, and training providers — the endorsement is the closest thing to an industry stamp of approval that exists in the UK performing arts education market. Read the industry research reports, particularly the workforce analysis and skills gap publications, to understand where the UK screen industry is heading and what skills will be in demand — this strategic intelligence helps you position yourself for opportunities that others may not see coming. Bookmark the ScreenSkills careers section and revisit it periodically as your career progresses — the resources relevant to you will change as you advance from early-career to mid-career to established professional, and new programs and initiatives are added regularly.