If you've ever considered TV too tough to break into — and if the forum is anything to go by, there are plenty of you out there — the Channel 4 Production Training Scheme is an opportunity that answers many career prayers.
It's a paid placement — something those who have been following the payment for interns debate will no doubt be in favor of — where budding TV types with new, underrepresented voices get to spend 12 months with either a TV or new media production company, building the skills they need to launch their careers.
You might be disabled, from an ethnic minority, have never been to university, changing career or perhaps your age makes you a new voice.
The scheme is looking for such people — those who have something fresh to say and are passionate about the TV industry. As well as on-the-job learning, trainees will also receive monthly coaching sessions at Channel 4 and other industry locations.
The application process for this fantastic opportunity opens on April 12 and, to ensure you have all the advice and information you need to submit the best application possible, a panel from Channel 4 will be joining the forums to take your questions.
If you want to find out more about the process, what the judges are looking for and what the scheme is really like, click here to join our live Q&A next week.
Our panel:
Edi Smockum, managing director of training company, Thinkbigger
Alison George, learning and OD specialist, Channel 4
Alison Walsh, disability executive, C4
Lee Warburton, Company Pictures — the production company behind C4 shows such as Shameless and Skins
Lauren Mollyeaux, team assistant, 4Talent — Channel 4's learning and talent division
Jo Taylor, head of learning and 4talent
Tim Ball, head of production, IMG Sports Media — a sports, entertainment and media company
Dave Taylor, production manager, IMG Sports Media
This discussion is now open for questions and comments, so get posting!
