Following a successful first year, STV Studios' training programme on the high-end prison drama Screw returned for a second year in 2022/23, providing vital skills development opportunities to entry-level talent in Scotland.
Financed by STV Drama Productions 3 Ltd, STV, Channel 4 Skills Fund, Screen Scotland, and ScreenSkills, the ambitious training scheme set out to recruit a wide variety of new entrants who are currently underrepresented in the industry and equip them with the skills needed to meet the demands of Scotland's booming screen sector.
The second year of the training programme recruited 21 trainees from diverse backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, lower socio-economic groups, neurodivergent, deaf, disabled, and LGBTQI+. Two trainees had lived experience of the criminal justice system, and four identified as having a visible or non-visible disability.
During their 4-15 week traineeship, each trainee worked with the same core supervisors and team in their allocated department. This ensured that all trainees received a well-rounded understanding of the various sub-departments, as well as gain an overall understanding of high-end television production in Scotland.
We visited the set of Screw 2 in Glasgow's world-class Kelvin Hall studio space to speak with the trainees across a range of departments about their experience on the scheme and the skills and knowledge they have acquired.
Watch our video interviews with the trainees below.
Meet the production, grip, locations, and hair & makeup trainees
Meet the assistant director, art, and costume trainees
The programme was overseen by Training Manager Kyrie MacTavish, who manages the scheme's recruitment, training, and ongoing support.
The Trainee Programme is financed by STV Drama Productions 3 Ltd, STV, Channel 4 Skills Fund, Screen Scotland, and ScreenSkills.