Media Mentors Australia is set to hold management training workshops for Heads of Departments and is seeking 20 applicants per state.
“During the last few years, as production volumes have risen dramatically, so people have moved into HoD roles more quickly than in the past. Combined with the reality that few HoDs have ever had management training means we have productions where leaders have either had little or no experience in the role and little exposure to good leadership,” says Denise Eriksen, Co-Founder of Media Mentors Australia.
“The impact of this is that productions are less safe culturally, emotionally and even physically, they’re less efficient, people are experiencing more stress which can lead to burnout and brain drain and producers are spending significant amounts of time counselling and supporting crew, rather than producing.
“Gen Y and Z crew have significantly different expectations about their work environments that Gen X and Boomers and this is already having a negative impact on the number of younger people wanting to stay in crew roles. And for the industry, if we don’t have excellently trained technical crew, then production will be dramatically impacted.”
Selection will reflect Australia’s diversity and will target those with significant craft experience who are ready to step up. Workshops will be held in person and online. Participants will be chosen by application.
Course are conducted with the support of Screen Australia’s Production Crew Skills Training Fund. Course entry is $99.
“The need for more Heads of Departments in the industry is urgent, and we are thrilled to support this vital initiative from Media Mentors Australia that will skill-up the next cohort of leaders. This targeted program will equip individuals with essential management skills for leadership roles. If you are a ready to step up and learn how to manage a team, I encourage you to seize this opportunity to learn new skills, gain valuable industry mentoring and contribute to a safer, more efficient industry,” says Ken Crouch, Head of Industry Development, Screen Australia.
The workshops are being developed in consultation with highly experienced HOD Trainer, Adelina Orfila. They will cover management skills for teams in stressful situations, workplace dynamics and culture, performance management, addressing bullying, harassment and discrimination and how to take care of yourself and your team.
After the formal training, each attendee will have access to three sessions of one-on-one mentoring / coaching with Media Mentors, plus a monthly group session to create a connected network of future leaders and managers. To future proof the program and to ensure local relevance, MMA will train trainers in each of the states. They will be people with screen industry and management experience who are looking to develop their training capacity.
Melbourne 28 October.
Sydney 4 November
Perth 11 November
Brisbane 9 March 2024
Darwin: 16 March 2024
