New short-form, work-based screen sector qualifications

A suite of qualifications and micro-credentials for work-based screen training for ‘below the line’ crew have been approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and listed on their website. Providers can now apply for approval and accreditation to deliver them.

These have all been developed in response to the industry’s need for formal, short-form work-based training programmes which address the current shortage of below-the-line crew workers.  This was an action coming out of the Toi Mai screen sector workforce development plan Te-Wao-Nui-o-Toi.

The new qualifications

Two 40 credit qualifications:  NZ Certificate in Screen Industry Skills (Level 3) and NZ Certificate in Screen Industry Skills (Level 4).  These are aimed at getting entry level crew for screen productions and are designed to be offered as work-based programmes.

These are for crew roles such as construction assistant, runner, production assistant, camera assistant, technical assistant, art department assistant, publicity assistant, assistant editor.  These qualifications contain skill standards designed to equip learners for one entry level role.

Level 5 and 6 Micro-credentials:  Nine individual micro-credentials designed for intermediate to senior crew roles including costume standby, extras coordinator, safety assistant, second camera assistant, production manager, production sound mixer, script supervisor, second assistant director and unit manager.  These are also designed for workplace delivery and contain skill standards.