Skilling South Australia to boost industry jobs

Skilling South Australia, a $200 million initiative, sees the South Australian Film Corporation  and the federal government set to bolster local crew.

Twenty-five skilled workers from adjacent industries such as performing and visual arts, festivals and events, accountancy, trades, construction and more will undergo training to join the screen industry for the first time, while 25 existing crew will also be upskilled.

SA Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said, “It’s an exciting time for our state’s screen industry as we become an attractive destination for Australian and international productions.

“SAFC has identified there are skill gaps within the following crew departments – Assistant Directing, Camera, Art Department, Production Office and Production Accounting.

“They are specialised roles in the industry that rely on industry-led training and on-the-job exposure for workers to build suitable skills and competency.

“The Australian Film Television Radio School will deliver industry-specific and tailored training for those roles.

“This project will assist in meeting the increasing demand and deliver more jobs for South Australians.

“It also contributes to the Creative Industries Strategy that sets a target average of five per cent growth per annum to 2030.”

South Australia has welcomed an influx of film productions, including Mortal Kombat, the Stan original production, Gold, starring Zac Efron, and the See-Saw Films produced thriller, The Unknown Man, starring Joel Edgerton, as well as Stan, HBO and BBC series The Tourist, currently filming in the Flinders Ranges with Jamie Dornan.

“South Australia was one of the first locations in the world to resume film and television production amid COVID delays,” Pisoni said.

“The South Australian Film Corporation has done a wonderful job facilitating a consistent pipeline of production for the state.

“The economic benefits of local screen production extend to the construction, hospitality, transportation and retail sectors.”

South Australian Film Corporation Chief Executive Kate Croser said, “Interest in South Australia as a filming and production location is at an all-time high, and the opportunities for growth are simply enormous.

“With so much production on the horizon and a growing demand for crew, the SAFC is constantly exploring ways to expand the state’s skills base such as through our

“Attachments programs, which give up-and-coming screen practitioners priceless on-the-job training alongside professionals on productions, and our Master/Apprentice program, run in partnership with Mercury CX, the inaugural edition of which saw 15 crew members paired with experienced local Heads of Department for career mentoring across various departments of screen production, from camera, lighting and sound to costume and even accounting, with more than 60% of the participants already achieving paid work in the industry as a result.

“The huge level of interest in our recent Technical Screen Careers Open Day, which attracted more than 140 registrations from skilled workers across the state wanting to learn more about screen career pathways, shows the huge potential for sector growth and employment opportunities.”

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