Production assistant - screen and audio
Level 3 · AdvancedCreative and design 0.8 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 3 apprenticeship prepares production assistants who support the administrative and operational running of screen and audio productions in television, film, radio, or podcasting. You will coordinate schedules, manage paperwork, liaise with crew and cast, and keep productions running on time and on budget. It can lead to production coordinator, assistant producer, or production management roles in the media industry.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Production workflows and processes for screen and audio projects
Scheduling, call sheets, and production paperwork management
Health and safety on screen and audio production sets and locations
Budget tracking and basic production financial management
Legal and rights clearances including music, location, and talent contracts
Communication skills for working with diverse creative and technical teams
Industry terminology and professional practice in screen and audio production
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Prepare and distribute daily call sheets, running orders, and schedules
Coordinate logistics including travel, accommodation, and catering for productions
Track production budgets and process crew expenses and invoices
Liaise between production departments to keep information flowing
Manage location permissions, release forms, and clearance paperwork
Set up for shoots or recordings including room booking and equipment prep
Support post-production by organising rushes, edits, and delivery schedules
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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