Sgil Cymru’s ‘Dathliad’ 2019

Cardiff-based bilingual media training provider, Sgil Cymru, kicks off the festive period with their fourth ‘Dathliad’ event.

The ‘Dathliad’ event celebrates the success of Sgil Cymru’s three different media apprenticeship schemes whilst giving industry professionals the chance to network at the film studios.

Sponsored by ‘Down The Caravan’, Welsh Government Creative Industries team and Creative Risk Solutions, the event’s guest list included former Sgil Cymru trainees; apprentices; media industry professionals working in Wales and around the UK, as well as the Deputy Minister for Culture Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas.

During the event, the achievement of 23 creative media apprentices successfully passing their frameworks was celebrated,  with the vast majority ofthem continuing to work in the wider creative industries with employers such as BBC Cymru Wales, ITV Cymru Wales, Spindogs, Golley Slater and Real SFX, or as freelance crew members.

One highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Creative Risk Solutions Special Award that recognises the achievements of a former apprentice. Those in receipt of the award are considered an inspiration to apprentices of the future. This year’s prize was awarded to Barry Roberts. 

Barry was a former apprentice at BBC Cymru Wales working in the Art Department during 2018 – 2019. As an apprentice, Barry worked on several productions such as Dr Who, Casualty and Pobol Y Cwm. Barry is profoundly deaf, and the team made adjustments which meant that Barry could work confidently at the studio. Since finishing his apprenticeship, Barry has learnt to drive and now works as a Junior Set Decorator within the Art Department for the upcoming HBO production, ‘Industry’, within Bad Wolf. Barry’s ultimate ambition is to become the Art Director of a very large production.  

Sgil Cymru has firmly established itself as Wales’ lead media training provider with schemes ranging from three different apprenticeship programmes for new entrants to courses for Location Managers, Line Producers and Production Co-ordinators in the film and TV industries.  Sgil Cymru is looking forward to yet another busy year for 2020.

Sue Jeffries, Sgil Cymru’s Managing Director said:

“This year we have a very diverse set of people entering the industry and we’re very proud of the fact that they have all achieved their level 3 apprenticeship frameworks.  These people are the future of our industry, and they have many years of creative success ahead of them.  . Sgil Cymru are now focusing on the new cohort of 20 apprentices who are due to graduate in 2021.”

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said:

“I was delighted to  present the apprentices with their certificates and to congratulate them on their success.  The creative industries is a very exciting sector in Wales – which is going from strength to strength.  We want to ensure that people are able to capitalise on opportunities, improve pathways to viable careers and support more people to access and retain employment in the creative industries – and supporting a sustainable skills base and talent development will be a key priority for Creative Wales.”