The UK is widely recognised as a world leader across the span of creative sectors. It’s estimated that our gaming, animation and visual e� ects industries generate nearly £6 billion for the UK economy and continues to grow at an average yearly rate of 7%.

Latest fi gures published in the BFI’s ‘Screen Business’ report estimate that the visual e� ects industry alone is worth more than £1 billion to the UK’s economy. Since 2016 the VFX industry has directly supplied over 8,000 jobs, supporting an additional 17,000 roles in the ‘extended value chain’.

Visual e� ects, animation and Virtual Reality are now embedded in the numerous ways we absorb culture, entertainment, education and more. As these areas grow and collaborate, the need for a highly-skilled workforce and a pipeline of potential increases.

To remain leaders in our fi eld, we need to identify and address any skills shortages in future generations. With the advent of the apprenticeship levy and an emphasis on upskilling tomorrow’s workforce, there’s never been a better time to explore a tried and tested route to success.

Welcome

Big Creative Education (BCT)

Big Creative Training (BCT) has been delivering advanced creative apprenticeships since 2010, with 83% of our apprentices progressing into meaningful employment in the creative sectors.

We’ve successfully supported the transition from apprentice to highly skilled, e� ective members of sta� for a range of di� erent workforces. From large corporations such as ITN and Virgin, to small start up organisations and all those in between. We’re expertly placed to help organisations tap into pools of creative talent.

Launching VFX

We’re excited to launch our most recent apprenticeship standard - 2D Artist: Visual E� ects. It allows us to collaborate with even more organisations from the creative industries. We’re innovators in our fi eld and work both strategically and creatively to capitalise on new opportunities across the spectrum. Our recent app development projects see us partnering with industry leaders such as Amazon WS and Microsoft as we continue to help young creatives build the career of their dreams.

With the numbers of our games design and media production courses increasing and our reputation continuing to grow as a specialist training provider, we’re in pole position to roll out this brand new Level 4 apprenticeship standard. The time is now to connect the talent with the industry as we enter the explosive world of visual e� ects.

Advanced Level 4 Apprenticeships

Junior 2D Artist: Visual E� ects

Visual e� ects (VFX) is the term used to describe any imagery created, altered, or enhanced for moving media. They involve the integration of live-action footage and computer generated imagery to create images, which look realistic but would be dangerous, costly or simply impossible to capture during live-action shooting.

Skills, knowledge and behaviours

By completing a Junior 2D Artist: Visual E� ects apprenticeship, learners are expected to develop knowledge and key competencies in the areas listed below (please note the following list is a sample of the VFX apprenticeship standard, not the standard in its entirety):

The pipeline: from acquisition to delivery Principles of colour space

Pixel math operations Project organisation

Roto-scoping Plate preparation and painting

Image feature tracking Image manipulation

Image manipulation Compositing

Team working and division of work

Initiative and a keen ability to problem-solve Ability to communicate with colleagues and work as part of a team

Ability to take direction and willingness to address feedback, and to be self-critical of the quality of work produced

Ability to manage priorities and bring multiple tasks to completion within deadline

Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy

Enthusiasm to learn and develop professionally

Respect for the best practice procedures or requirements of a particular studio, production or pipeline

Proactive attitude to research and access available resources

A high level of professionalism and good time keeping with a focus on the work

Employment and progression

Upon successful completion of their apprenticeship the individual will typically progress to become a compositor and may eventually become a 2D or VFX supervisor. Junior 2D artists will typically be employed by a range of small to large post-production companies, servicing the British and International Film, Television and Commercial industries. They will usually be based in an o¤ ce environment working on television commercials, television series and feature fi lms.

Our apprenticeship delivery model

The 2D Artist: Visual E� ects apprenticeship, is a Level 4 qualifi cation (National Diploma equivalent) combining work-based learning with ‘O� the Job Training’

Big Creative Training implements a unique training model that o� ers VFX apprentices.

1. Monthly tutorials / industry masterclasses

2. Online learning platform

3. Video 1-1 tutorials

4. Support from an industry specialist assessor

Delivery sessions will include both an in-person workshop format and seminars via global live webinars or video recordings.

How does apprenticeship recruitment work?

External recruitment

Recruiting an apprentice is simple. Working from your organisation’s supplied JD we can market, recruit and screen the candidates for you. All of our apprentices are vetted and selected for their ability to demonstrate talent, commitment and a passion for the industry. Our employment team will provide you a shortlist of the best candidates for interview.

Internal recruitment

Your current workforce can benefi t from our VFX apprenticeship. You can recommend internal candidates and BCT will take them through the eligibility and application process to become an apprentice through their ongoing employment in your company.

Apprenticeship wage

An apprentice must be paid a minimum of £3.90 per hour via your normal payroll system. Many employers pay more to support the high living costs in London.

Duration

The duration of our apprenticeships are 15 months and typically we would expect employers to commit to a minimum period of 15 months of employment. All of the usual employment terms and conditions apply and apprentices are subject to the same HR policies as all of your sta� .

O� the job training

First 12 months

The apprentice completes online seminars, workplace journals and industry masterclass in order to gain competency in the standard (approximately 1 day per week).

End Point Assessment

After 12 months the apprentice becomes eligible for their End Point Assessment that will include an interview with an End Point assessor, a workplace observation and a workplace project / case study. This period will require a more intensive period of study in preparation for the fi nal EPA.

How does the funding work?

The training cost

All employers taking on a BCE apprentice must commit to cover the cost of training and will enter into an ‘Apprenticeship Training Agreement’ with us. The cost of training for a VFX apprentice is £9,000. The training cost includes:

• Industry tutors and assessors

• Digital course structure and online seminars

• Industry masterclasses

• All costs relating to an End Point Assessment

• Quality assurance of all aspects of the programme

This is broken down as follows:

• £9,000 paid to BCE (for non levy companies the government will pay 95% contribution to this cost)

Levy employers (over £3m payroll)

1. All employers in the UK with a payroll bill greater than £3m per year will pay the levy charged at 0.5% of payroll based on HMRC PAYE.

2. Your ‘digital account’ can allocate funds directly to Big Creative Training to pay for the costs of the apprenticeship training up to £9,000.

2D Artist: Visual E� ects (VFX) Standard You Pay BCE (via DAS) £9,000

You have 2 years to use your apprenticeship levy money, or lose it entirely.

Non-levy employers (under £3m payroll)

If your business has a PAYE bill of under £3m it is deemed ‘non-levy’.

19+ apprentices

• If you hire an apprentice aged 19 or above, the Government will pay £8,550 towards the cost of training.

• As the employer, you will contribute the remaining £450 cost payable to BCT to meet the cost of training, set up as a monthly direct debit.

16-18 apprentices

• For 16-18 apprentices the Government will pay the total £9,000 towards the cost of training.

Government pays You pay BCE

Visual E� ects (VFX) 19+ £8,550 £450

Visual E� ects (VFX) 16-18 £9,000 0

£1,000 small employer incentive

Employers with less than 50 sta� will receive an additional £1,000 employer incentive payment for taking on a 16-18 apprentice. Payment is in two £500 instalments on 90 days and 365 days.

Apprentice eligibility

Big Creative apprentices must be at least 16 years of age to apply for an apprenticeship placement, have a minimum of 5 GCSEs A*- C, including Maths and English and a full level 3 qualifi cation. There is no upper age limit.

Apprentices available through Big Creative Training include:

• Young people who have completed A levels or BTEC at College

• University graduates

• Graduates from BRIT school

• BCE gaming / media graduates

Why choose an apprentice

• 77% of employers believe apprenticeships make them more competitive

• 80% feel that apprenticeships reduce sta� turnover

• 83% of BCT apprentices progress into a career in the creative industries and most are retained by their apprenticeship employer

Join the movement

Whether you’re a small or large employer, subject to the Levy or not, apprenticeships are an a� ordable and e� ective way to grow your workforce with Big Creative. For support on any aspect of apprenticeship funding and how to get started please contact:

Apprenticeship levy payers e: alexis.michaelides@bigcreative.education t: 07770 601142

Non-levy payers e: michael.roberts@bigcreative.educationt: 07479 097949

www.bigcreative.education