BFI Skills Clusters Fund: Strengthening UK Screen Sector Workforce with £11.9m National Lottery Funding
The BFI has announced the distribution of £11.9m of National Lottery funding for its Skills Clusters Fund, with £9m allocated to seven existing clusters and £2.9m to expand the program's reach. The additional funding will support the establishment of new skills clusters in areas where there is a need to strengthen crew bases. Applications for the funding will open in early July 2026.
The BFI Skills Clusters Fund was established following a 2022 skills review to address shortages in below-the-line production skills in the UK screen sector. The fund aims to facilitate collaboration between regional lead delivery partners, local industry, education, and training providers. Each cluster will receive the same amount of funding for 2026-29 as they did in the previous funding cycle.
The lead delivery partners will allocate a portion of the funding to other partners responsible for specific aspects of program delivery. Additional funding from local government bodies will be provided to clusters in Scotland, Wales, and the West Midlands. The clusters have been instrumental in providing training opportunities to over 26,000 individuals from April 2023 to September 2025, in partnership with 291 education providers.
The BFI has a total of £35.6m of National Lottery funding over three years dedicated to skill and workforce development initiatives. Sara Whybrew, the BFI's director of skills and workforce development, emphasized the importance of investing in local economies and creating opportunities for individuals to pursue careers in the screen industry. Creative industries minister Ian Murray highlighted the government's commitment to fostering diversity and accessibility in the creative sector through initiatives like the BFI Skills Clusters program.
In conclusion, the BFI's Skills Clusters Fund plays a crucial role in addressing skills gaps and shortages in the UK screen sector by supporting the development of strong crew bases and providing training opportunities across the country. The program's expansion and continued funding will contribute to the growth and diversity of the industry, aligning with the government's Creative Industries Sector Plan.