Screen Ireland and Technological University Dublin Host Inaugural Graduation Ceremony for Passport to Production Participants

Published: 19 May, 2023

Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland (Screen Ireland) and Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) are delighted to congratulate the inaugural graduates of the Passport to Production programme at a dedicated ceremony which took place at the Irish Film Institute on Thursday, 13th April 2023.

Passport to Production was developed by Screen Ireland’s skills development team (formerly Screen Skills Ireland) as a flagship training and work placement programme for new entrants interested in working in live-action film and television production. It is accredited through TU Dublin’s Linked Provider partnership model as a Level 6 QQI 10 ECTS credit programme.

The programme comprises of a multi-day training session facilitated by industry experts and guest tutors which gives participants a broad overview of all the crew departments and equips them with the knowledge and some of the essential skills required to work on set. Following this, participants embark on a 3-week paid work placement on production, where they continue to receive structured on-the-job training.

The ceremony saw 45 graduates receive award certificates, having completed the training programme and their work placements across a number of high-end film & television productions such as The Banshees of Inisherin, Disenchanted, The Wonder, Vikings: Valhalla and Cocaine Bear. Previously iterations of the programme have taken place in Donegal, Dublin/Wicklow, Galway, Limerick and Wexford, with many participants moving on to further roles within the screen sector.

Organised by Screen Ireland and TU Dublin’s School of Media and Enterprise Academy, the ceremony builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two organisations earlier this year on the co-development of accredited talent development programmes and career pathways to support screen sector growth.

Desiree Finnegan, Chief Executive of Screen Ireland said

We are delighted to congratulate the inaugural graduates of the Passport to Production programme. The success of this key skills development initiative from Screen Ireland highlights new possibilities for industry and higher education to collaborate in the areas of certified and structured work-based learning programmes and to acknowledge skills development achievements of screen professionals at all experience levels through recognition of prior learning. We look forward to continuing our work with TU Dublin in this area.

 

Dr Caroline O’Sullivan Head, School of Media TU Dublin said

We would like to extend our congratulations to the graduates of the Passport to Production programme. This programme serves as a prime example of how industry and academia can work together to advance the screen industries and showcases the potential of the partnership between Screen Ireland and TU Dublin. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and pursuing further innovative programmes that empower aspiring screen professionals to reach their full potential.

The next iteration of the Passport to Production programme is currently in development and further details and dates will be announced in the coming weeks. To learn more and to stay up to date with the latest news and skills opportunities from Screen Ireland, please visit: https://www.screenireland.ie/skills