rad Scotland – TV traineeship
About rad
rad Scotland is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who would love to work in television but hasn’t been able to find a way in or has faced a barrier to entry.
Whether that barrier has been through race, disability or economic background – rad was created to break down those barriers.
It’s time to forget the ‘who you know’ rule – we want to know you!
What’s more, our host production companies are dedicated to supporting you throughout the programme. You’ll also have team TRC on hand to support you throughout the whole experience – we’ll be there to steer you through.
Applications are now open.
Applications for rad Scotland 2025 are now open. The deadline for applications is Thursday 5th June 2025, 5pm.
Please ensure you read our Application Guidelines and our rad roles and key skills info sheet before submitting your application.
rad is a paid eight-month traineeship within a Scottish independent television production company which includes full training throughout the placement. All the companies we work with specialise in unscripted TV.
The programme is aimed at those who are underrepresented in the TV industry: those who are either deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent, from Black, Asian or minority ethnic communities or from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
We have positions available across four roles: Development Researcher, Production Researcher, Edit Assistant and Production Assistant. For more information about each role, please see our rad roles and key skills info sheet or alternatively have a look at the relevant job profile on the ScreenSkills website.
You don’t have to apply to a specific role but here’s our quick guide to each one so you can tailor your application:
Do you have a nose for the next big hit? Do you enjoy thinking outside the box, researching unusual topics, and finding great real-life stories or formats? You might be a great fit for a Development Researcher role.
Are you brimming with ideas, creativity and love watching telly? Do you love talking to people, have an eye for a story and a curiosity to know and find out the facts? You could be perfect to develop your skills as a Production Researcher.
Do you know your way round an edit suite or just a pro at iMovie Maker? Training as Edit Assistant role could be just for you.
Are you a whizz at admin and spreadsheets or love organising and have a great eye for detail? We would love to help you develop those skills into the role of Production Team Assistant.
Please note, some roles may require hybrid working (in-office and work from home days).
Applications for rad 2025 are now open.
If you require support to complete the application process we’re more happy to help, just email projectmanager@trcmedia.org
Please read our Application Guidelines and our rad roles and key skills info sheet before submitting your application.
Fancy a chat?
Email projectmanager@trcmedia.org with any burning questions you might have and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. In addition, if you require support to complete the application process we’re more happy to help, just get in touch.
rad Scotland is a training programme where candidates will be paid to work full time during a placement with a Scottish TV production company. TRC will also be on hand throughout the placement to provide support and specific training to help boost each trainee’s career.
Please note that all companies taking part in this year’s rad Scotland work in unscripted productions.
The traineeship is aimed at those who are typically underrepresented in the TV industry: those who are either deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent, from Black, Asian or minority ethnic communities or from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Candidates must be over 18, but there is no upper age limit, meaning that it is open to those considering a career change or returning to work.
If you identify being from a disadvantaged background, please think about this to inform your answer: Someone who has experienced reduced opportunities, due to their level of income and/or education can be classed as disadvantaged. You should explain why you consider yourself to be from lower socio-economic background (i.e. single parent household, care, education, refugee/asylum status, poverty, receive benefits/tax credits, carer).
The majority of production companies who take part in rad Scotland are based in Glasgow. For 2025, TRC aims to hold training sessions in person as well having online components.
Previous production companies who have taken part in rad Scotland are: IWC Media, Hopscotch Films, Hello Halo, Lion TV, Sunset + Vine.
Applications for rad Scotland 2025 are currently open. To apply, complete the application form here: rad Scotland 2025 Application Form
Please ensure you read our Application Guidelines and our rad roles and key skills info sheet before submitting your application.
The deadline for applications is Thursday 5th June, 5pm.
The role will be a fixed term contract for eight months from August 2025 to April 2026.
The salary is based on the Real Living Wage which is £12.60 per hr (as of March 2025).
TRC is committed to the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First Policy. You can read more about this policy here.
All successful candidates will be given a contract from their employer which will outline the terms and conditions of employment for the duration of the traineeship.
This programme will provide you with an eight-month contract for the duration of the traineeship. Whilst many of our trainees are kept on by their company at the end of the traineeship, and others go on to work on other contracts, we cannot guarantee your contract will be extended beyond this.
Please keep in mind that most roles in the TV industry are for freelancers, this is because TV industry work is predominantly project-based, or production based. What this means is that most companies hire by project rather than into permanent roles. For more information, have a look at the ScreenSkills website.
The role includes monthly training sessions which are a mixture of in person and online. Attendance to these sessions will be included in your contract (so you will not need to take unpaid leave or holidays to attend). The purpose of this training is to help strengthen your knowledge and skills in TV production. All the training has been specifically designed to help you become more confident and knowledgeable in key roles over the training period.
We’re especially keen to hear from individuals from groups who are underrepresented in the TV industry: those who are either deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent, from Black, Asian or minority ethnic communities or from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds as rad was specifically created to make the Scottish TV industry more diverse. If you identify as belonging to one of these communities then you are eligible to apply for the programme.
A disability is if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities, this definition is taken from the Equality Act 2010. For further information visit: https://www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010
Disadvantage can cover those that experience a higher risk of poverty, social exclusion, discrimination and violence than the general population. Someone who has experienced reduced opportunities, due to their level of income and/or education can be classed as disadvantaged (e.g., single parent household, care, education, refugee/asylum status, poverty, low income, receive benefits/tax credits, carer). The Office for National Statistics also includes the following categories in their understanding of individuals who have experienced disadvantage: disabled people, lone parents, ethnic minorities, people aged over 50, the lowest qualified and those living in the most deprived areas. For further information visit: https://eige.europa.eu/rdc/thesaurus/terms/1083.
You do not need any qualifications to be eligible for rad Scotland, we are interested in your potential and passion.
No, we are specifically looking for people who are not already working in the TV industry. You just need to be passionate about TV. We are looking for people with an enthusiasm and demonstrable interest in working in TV. However, if you’ve already had more than six months continuous paid employment in the TV industry, you may be over-qualified for the scheme. rad should be your first step into the television industry and is designed to help kick-start your career in TV. If you aren’t sure whether you qualify please get in touch with us by email at projectmanager@trcmedia.org and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
rad is intended to kick-start your career in television so if you’ve already had considerable experience (more than six months, fully-paid) then rad might not be for you. If you aren’t sure whether you qualify, please get in touch with us by email at projectmanager@trcmedia.org and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Yes, you might be re-entering the workforce after time off, or maybe you’ve had a period of redundancy, or were unable to get a start in the subject you studied after school, college or university. As long as you permanently reside in the UK and have the right to work here then you can apply.
You cannot be in full time education when the role starts. If you have completed your course by August 2025 then you would be able to apply for rad Scotland 2025.
No. You must be available to work full time during the duration of the traineeship until April 2026. If your application is successful and we subsequently discover you are planning to be in full-time education, we will revoke your offer.
No. The rad programme is about finding talented people who want to work behind the scenes, helping to develop TV programmes. It’s not about launching your presenting or acting career. Please do not apply if this is your career goal.
If you’re interested in being involved in research for production companies and are happy working on other people’s projects first, then yes, you can apply. If you’d rather just work on your own scripts, then rad is not for you.
Candidates must be over 18, but there is no upper age limit, meaning that it is open to those considering a career change or returning to work. You can apply to rad if you are 17 but you MUST have turned 18 by the start of the programme.
Yes, you can apply as long as you permanently reside in the UK and have the right to work here.
Yes, you have to be a permanent resident in Scotland to apply.
Although companies from all over Scotland can apply to host you as part of rad, the majority of production companies are based in Glasgow. Successful applications would be expected to work in-office either full time, or hybrid (with work from home days). There may also be times when you are asked to be on location for a production.
Please note that the Edit Assistant and Development Researcher roles would be solely office/work from home based, these roles do not usually involve going on location for a production.
Travel bursaries are available for those travelling from outside of Greater Glasgow. Please note this support is discretionary and will be provided on a case-by-case basis and will be granted upon submission of expense claims and receipts.
We would ask applicants to think about the commute to Production Offices upon application, and if this would be something they would be able to do up to 5 days a week.
If you require extra support to complete your application form we will offer one-to-one meetings where a member of our team will help you to understand and navigate the application process.
TRC strives to be an inclusive organisation committed to equality and fairness for all. If you require support with your application or if you wish to submit a short video application instead, please e-mail projectmanager@trcmedia.org.
Applicants will be shortlisted and invited to an online interview with the television production company offering the placement. Please note you may be invited to more than one interview.
If you have any special requirements for interview please let us know and we will make suitable arrangements.
If you have any questions please contact us at projectmanager@trcmedia.org
