Unemployed airport staff could be swapping Heathrow for Hollywood thanks to a new government-backed scheme.
Pinewood Studios, home to hits from the Harry Potter films to the Bond franchise, is helping train up to 1,000 people many of whom have recently lost their jobs in the hard-hit aviation sector.
Film industry body ScreenSkills is working with them to see how staff, who often have experience in logistics, can transfer their skills with the best of them invited to take work placements at the studio.
Screenskills CEO Seetha Kumar said: “Transferable skills from aviation and the supply chain at Heathrow in areas including logistics, accounts and office roles could play an important role in addressing the needs of UK’s world-famous film, TV and games industries.
"Despite the immediate challenges of Covid, the screen sector has skills shortages so there are jobs to be filled to meet strong consumer demand.”
The pandemic is estimated to have cost the airport £1 billion as passenger numbers fell by more than 80%. Last month Pinewood announced a new 750,000 sq ft development including an expansion of studio production space.
