Get a rare on-set training opportunity with Dept. Q and earn while you learn in Edinburgh
The acclaimed crime drama Dept. Q is returning to its Edinburgh base to shoot a second series, and the production team has opened a pathway for newcomers to join the crew. The show, which stars Matthew Goode as detective Carl Morck and features a supporting ensemble including Chloe Pirrie, Kelly MacDonald, Kate Dickie, Shirley Henderson, Mark Bonnar and Jamie Sives, was renewed for a second series in August 2026.
For anyone curious about a career behind the camera, this is a literal chance to step onto a working set and learn from experienced professionals.
The production is inviting applications for the Dept. Q Training Programme, a paid scheme backed by Screen Scotland, Sony Pictures Television and Netflix.
The initiative is designed to bring up to 20 trainees into a range of technical and creative departments during the filming period. Placements are substantial: most roles run for approximately five to six months, providing continuity and real-world experience rather than a brief taster.
Trainees will receive a salary of £750 per week, which is inclusive of holiday pay, so participants are supported financially as they learn on the job.
What the placements include
The programme covers a broad cross-section of departments so that applicants with different interests can find a suitable match. Roles include, but are not limited to, camera/video, lighting, sound, costume, make-up, SFX and construction. Each placement will involve hands-on tasks, routine set duties and shadowing senior crew members, forming a practical curriculum tailored to production realities. The aim is for trainees to gain a portfolio of work and references that will make future job hunting in the television and film sectors substantially easier.
Skills and day-to-day learning
Trainees should expect to pick up technical skills such as camera operation basics, lighting setups, sound capture techniques and on-set problem solving. They will also learn professional routines like health and safety on set, call sheet procedures and collaborative working across departments. The emphasis is on learning through doing: while there will be mentoring from senior technicians, much growth comes from participating in a live production environment. For clarity, the term trainee in this context means someone who will be active on set, combining instruction with practical work rather than classroom-only training.
Who can apply and eligibility
Entry requirements have been kept deliberately accessible to widen opportunity. Applicants do not need formal qualifications to be considered, but there are sensible administrative and experience-based conditions. Candidates must be over 18, be eligible to work in the UK and ordinarily resident in Scotland. Experience-wise, the programme is aimed at people with no more than 12 months of paid employment in their chosen department, ensuring the roles remain aimed at early-career entrants. A full clean driving licence is preferred for some positions because travel between locations can be required.
Application process and deadline
Those interested should prepare a concise application that highlights any practical experience, transferable skills and enthusiasm for screen production. While specific documents requested may vary by role, candidates are advised to detail any relevant on-set exposure, voluntary work or short courses. Crucially, applications for the Dept. Q Training Programme close at 9am on Wednesday, April 29. For full application guidance and to submit your materials, visit the Screen Scotland website where the programme page contains role descriptions and eligibility checks.
Why this matters for Scottish screen careers
This scheme is part of a wider effort to build a sustainable talent pipeline in Scotland’s screen sector. Learning on a high-profile production such as Dept. Q gives trainees direct access to industry networks and real credits on their CVs. The organisers stress the value of the experience: working on location with seasoned crews accelerates skill development far beyond what isolated short courses typically provide. For many applicants, a hands-on placement like this can be the defining start to a long-term career in film and television.
In short, the programme offers paid, substantial placements on a major television production in Edinburgh, combines mentorship with practical work and aims to open doors for people with limited prior paid experience. If you meet the basic eligibility criteria and want to build a career in screen production, this is an opportunity worth applying for before the April 29 deadline.
