Trainee Costume Assistant (West Midlands)

Job Introduction 

Do you have experience with costumes? Perhaps you’re coming from theatre, have a fashion design qualification, or are a seamstress?  

Following the unprecedented success of our West Midlands training scheme last year, BBC Studios Drama Productions are looking for expressions of interests for Trainee Costume Assistant opportunities on Father Brown and Silent Witness.  

Eligibility is a requirement of our funding and means we are able to offer paid placements. Please ensure you meet the following criteria before submitting an expression of interest:  

•    Living and based in the West Midlands 

•    Aged 19 years or over 

•    Not currently in full or part time education 

Father Brown films in different locations around the Cotswolds area including places with little or no public transport options. It is the responsibility of successful applicants to ensure they are able to get to these locations as part of the training scheme. 

Silent Witness is based in Digbeth. It is the responsibility of successful applicants to ensure they are able to get to the location as part of the training scheme. 

Trainees will be paid (National Minimum / Living Wage or above).

Food will be provided when on location. Unfortunately travel and accommodation expenses are not provided.

The Role

We want to hear from people who are excited about costume with a basic level of dress making skills. Working with our costume department, the Trainee Costume Assistant will learn the importance of record keeping and continuity to ensure we’re always accurate on a busy production.  

Building on your existing knowledge and experience, you will get involved with tasks such as laundry, arranging the Supporting Artists daily line up, stocktaking, breaking down and dyeing, and helping with alterations and fittings.  

Are you the right candidate?

To be successful in this trainee role, you will need the following:  

• A genuine interest in fashion, textiles or clothing and evidence of pro-actively seeking ways to gain more experience and knowledge  
• Experience of generating original creative ideas and opinions of your own, as well as those inspired by others, that you’re excited to share and develop   
• Experience of working to a brief within a specified timeframe  
• Experience and examples of when you have worked as part of a team and shared tasks; communicating information and taking direction from others.   
• Experience and examples of when you have worked in environments where there are conflicting priorities and problems to solve  
• Interest in TV drama including BBC Studios content  

Dates

If confirmed, opportunities will last 3 to 6 weeks and run from April to August 2025. 

Diversity Within Our Teams

BBC Studios is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. 

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of their background. More information on our D&I plan can be found here.