Productions that used the passport during the pilot included Strictly Come Dancing, Dragons’ Den and EastEnders

ScreenSkills has announced the next phase of its Training Passport, following a successful 10-month pilot during which more than 7,720 users completing the training.

The pan-industry initiative – the first of its kind – provides a digital record of standardised and industry-approved training that production staff can take from one project to the next. The passport scheme is in collaboration with BBC Studios, ITV Studios and Sky, as well as new partners for Phase 2, including BBC Public Service.

During the pilot, more than 1200 freelancers working on 172 productions across the three studio partners used the Training Passport service, while more than 6,500 freelancers also completed their passport training independently.

Productions that used the passport included: Bargain Hunt, Dragon’s Den, EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing (BBC Studios); After the Flood Series Two, Come Dine With Me and The Guest (ITV Studios); and Brassic Series 7, Mr Bigstuff, Prisoner and Under Salt Marsh (Sky).

Phase 2 to will be opened out to include access to two new e-learning modules on data privacy and financial misconduct, with integrated health and safety training currently recorded by the Production Safety Passport (PSP). There are currently more than 50,000 PSP certificates in force, with 13,000 issued in 2024-25.

Tim Weiss, director of vocational skills and e-learning at ScreenSkills, said: “I am thrilled to see the success of this pilot, and am excited to expand the range of training and development modules included within our Training Passport.

“Our completion data from the pilot suggests substantial potential benefits to the industry – reducing repetition of training and increasing compliance among freelancers – and the addition of two new partners for our second year reflects the trust the industry places in ScreenSkills to deliver these benefits.”

Pact CEO John McVay said: “Pact is pleased that the ScreenSkills Passport pilot has been successful and that it will be rolled out further across the industry with the addition of new partners. The Passport helps employers to hire crew with confidence knowing that they already have a high standard of training, enabling them to move more quickly into production.”

Jonathan Wall, director, BBC Sounds (on behalf of BBC Public Service) said: “Following the successful pilot in BBC Studios, the BBC is delighted to confirm that we’ll be embarking on the expansion of the ScreenSkills Training Passport to include freelancers engaged in Public Service. This represents a positive step forward in improving the experience of freelancers right across the industry, promoting an industry-standard that cultivates a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone, enabling everyone to thrive and deliver their best work. We’ll be working with internal teams as we gradually expand the passport’s applicability within Public Service over the next 12 months and will continue to work in collaboration with ScreenSkills and other industry partners to ensure the passport’s continued success.”

Julie Clark, director of scripted productions at ITV Studios, added: “The ScreenSkills Training Passport is a game-changer for our industry. The ‘one-stop shop’ for mandatory training and the opportunities that are provided by ScreenSkills will mean more engagement in training, less admin and ultimately more time to make great TV!”

Caroline Cooper, COO, Sky Studios, commented: “We welcome the expansion of the range of courses available in the ScreenSkills Training Passport and have been really encouraged to see this excellent initiative make such a great start. We look forward to continuing to support such an important scheme as it enters its next phase.”

More information on the Training Passport and instructions on how to register can be found here.