How the CRIW apprenticeship is helping kickstart careers

If you’re looking to develop your skills and gain experience in the film and TV industry in Wales, then the Sgil Cymru CRIW shared apprenticeship scheme* is a good place to start. Successful applicants spend a year immersed in the industry – gaining hands-on experience working on some of the biggest productions across Wales.

We caught up with four apprentices who recently finished their first five-week placement on the set of House of the Dragon Season Two with Warner Bros/HBO as part of their CRIW apprenticeships.

They talked us through their experiences so far, what they’ve enjoyed about the placements and why they’d recommend this apprenticeship scheme. Read on to find out more.

I'm Cai and I'm from Pwllheli on the Llŷn Peninsula. I was leaving college and I hadn't set any plans for university. I wanted to jump into the industry as soon as possible. My tutor sent me links to the Sgil Cymru apprenticeship application, and it suited what I wanted to do.

For my first placement, I was in the camera department working with three, sometimes four cameras, camera operators, assistants, and trainees. It was really eye opening. It gives you an idea of scale, but also how much work you need to put in as well.

From my experience so far, I'd say CRIW sets the goalposts on what we want to achieve. It gives you an idea of scale, but it also gives you something to work towards – especially when you’ve been a part of something as big as an HBO production. Even though I think we've gained a lot of experience from HBO, it's more about figuring out where we want to work towards. That’s what this offers you.

Everyone's path is different, but if you're with Sgil Cymru’s CRIW scheme it gives you a lot of different experiences rather than a course where you can be studying a certain subject or certain topics for a year. You get to be introduced to the departments that you're interested in, and you get to work with the people or the companies you are interested in as well. Sgil Cymru gives access for the people to apply their interests and skills.

I'm Cynan and I'm from Anglesey. I knew I didn't want to go to university, so I started looking for apprenticeships because it seemed like the best opportunity. Sgil Cymru said they were going to try their hardest to put you on every position they possibly could – it felt like a no brainer.

On the first placement, I worked in the art department and the props department. I worked with the art director; handing props to the cast and helping to dress the set – adding details where I could. Working in the art department on something that big was just quite incredible. It's something I'm going to remember for a very long time.

I've always had a love for film, but after going onto the sets and seeing how everybody works, how everybody talks to each other, how everybody goes about their jobs; I found a new love for it. My experience so far has really affected me – it’s given me a new perspective of it, and a new love for it.

With apprenticeships like CRIW, you gain knowledge from practicality. You meet different people and make contacts. If you've got the ambition for film and if you really do have a passion for making film, then it's a no brainer. This apprenticeship is going to help you get to where you want to be – wherever that is. Sgil Cymru asks you what you prefer, which departments, which genres – they will try their best to put you in something that fits you perfectly.

I'm Fiorella and I'm from Porthmadog. Last year, I was in a job that I wasn't really enjoying anymore. I saw that Sgil Cymru were recruiting for CRIW, so I just applied for it. I’d followed Sgil Cymru for a while and knew it was such a good opportunity, especially not having to leave North Wales and to be able to work here.

For my first placement, I floated around a few different departments. I started out in continuity because I'm interested in gaining more experience in script supervising. And then I moved into production, where I was a PA for a few days, and then went into props and the art department. I did some set dressing, helped make some props, and then ended in the makeup department. I'm already trained as a makeup artist, so that was a really good experience. I've never worked in anything this big, so to get the experience was just incredible. It's reignited my passion for being in makeup department.

When I started on the HBO production, I wasn't sure that high-end TV drama was where I wanted to go. But after finishing, I think it's just really re-adjusted my thinking.

That’s the good thing about this apprenticeship with Sgil Cymru; Sue and the team take time to get to know you when we're like starting. They'll suggest things that you might be good that – they're pretty good at knowing. We’ve also got that security for at least a year; knowing that we will have the opportunity to work on a production. We'll always have a job, and we'll always have an income.

I'm Huw and I'm from Anglesey. I was finishing sixth form, and I knew I didn't want to go to university. I'd done two years of film and TV in college. Afterwards, I kept looking and looking and when I found the Sgil Cymru CRIW apprenticeship, I applied straight away.

I was in the props department where I was dressing, moving stuff around, and building some props. On the first day I went there, I was nervous. As an inexperienced person joining a set, I wasn't expecting them to be such an amazing team. They showed me everything that I needed; it was an amazing experience and it's something I really will remember for the rest of my life.

More and more productions are coming to North Wales, so I think people should 100% consider trying to join apprenticeship like CRIW.

*The Sgil Cymru CRIW apprenticeship programme is delivered in partnership with Cardiff and Vale College and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.

Looking to gain experiences in the film and TV industry in Wales? Head to Sgil Cymru’s website to discover more about the CRIW apprenticeship programme.