Netflix Boosts UK Creative Economy, Training Over 5,000 Crew in 5 Years

Netflix announced today that the company has provided training and development opportunities to over 5,000 crew members and creative professionals across the United Kingdom over the past five years. The training initiatives aim to address the shortage of skilled crew in the country’s film and television industry.

The announcement comes as Netflix partners with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) to celebrate this year’s BAFTA Breakthrough award winners, which highlights rising creative talent.

Netflix offers approximately 50 different training and development programs focused on production skills like accounting, as well as more creative pursuits like visual effects. The opportunities range from short-term training sessions to more intensive mentorship initiatives.

“We’re proud to have invested in over 5,000 people over the last 5 years, including mid-career crew helping them take their careers to the next level,” said Anna Mallett, Netflix’s vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa production. “Despite the UK’s creative brilliance, significant skills shortage in key roles poses a real threat to the industry’s continued success. By investing in the talent pipeline, upskilling crew and closing the skills gap, we can help secure the long term success of our industry.”

The training programs reach professionals throughout the UK, from major hubs like London and Cardiff to smaller locales like Sunderland and Glasgow. Some of the partners providing training include the Production Guild, ScreenSkills, Women in Film and TV, the National Youth Theatre, and Access All Areas.

Access All Areas focuses specifically on making training and productions more accessible for people with disabilities. The National Youth Theatre’s IGNITE YOUR CREATIVITY program provides free practical workshops to 1,000 young people without previous access to the arts.

Netflix also offers a Fund for Creative Equity which aims to break down barriers to entering and advancing in the industry. The fund provides support like scholarships for Black women pursuing cinematography degrees.

“The creative talent pipeline that powers our global reputation is fragile and can’t be taken for granted,” said Paul Roseby, CEO of the National Youth Theatre. “IGNITE Your Creativity our initiative with Netflix is a vital intervention to support that pipeline. Through IGNITE 1000 young people without access to the arts are being introduced to creative career options for the first time with free practical workshops on their doorstep. The feedback from young people is that it’s a game changer.”

Netflix’s training investment is part of the company’s broader support of the UK industry. Since 2020, Netflix has spent almost $1.5 billion annually producing films and series in the country.

The announcement of the 5,000 crew members trained comes as Netflix joins BAFTA in celebrating recipients of BAFTA’s Breakthrough initiative, which highlights rising stars in film, television, and games. This year’s honorees include Bella Ramsey from Game of Thrones.