Apprenticeships Allow Emmy-Award Winning SME to Thrive on Fresh Talent

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Welsh Government , 9th December 2020

Cardiff-based special effects company Real SFX has benefitted from recruiting apprentices to fill skill-gaps in the creative industry and is now encouraging other SMEs to consider apprenticeships as a viable recruitment option.

With the impact of the pandemic affecting businesses, the BAFTA and Emmy-award winning company, whose work includes Peaky Blinders, His Dark Materials and Doctor Who, recognises the value of a strong, supportive team and the need to invest in the future of their workforce.

Carmela Carruba, director of Real SFX, said:

“During these uncertain times, business owners and leaders are making life-changing decisions, recruiting and re-evaluating their products and services. Finding the right people at the right level to support your business needs is essential, and the Apprenticeship Programme is vital for us to thrive on fresh new talent.

“Since recruiting apprentices, we’ve seen a huge boost in morale among our other staff members. They enjoy taking on the role of mentors, passing on their skills and it motivates them to work harder. This valuable expertise will, in turn, ensure that the next generation of creatives are provided with the necessary experience to future-proof our industry.

“For us, apprenticeships are the best recruitment tool, and we will continue to recruit apprentices to support our business growth and sustainability.”

Real SFX took on its first apprentice in 2012 after identifying a shortage of skilled technicians in Wales. The company has recently moved to larger premises, establishing a make-up and prosthetics department which will enable the recruitment of even more apprentices.

Carmela continued:

“When we first moved from London and started the business in Cardiff, we struggled to find a local special effects crew. We had to look for local people who we could train in the specific skills we needed.

“We began recruiting apprentices eight years ago. Approximately 95% of all of our apprentices stay within the business on either a full-time or freelance basis. We believe in equal opportunities, recruiting people of all ages and from a range of different backgrounds.

“The creative industry is competitive and fast-moving and for us, apprenticeships are the most effective way to ensure we have a workforce trained in the skills we need to meet business needs. Apprentices pick up valuable skills in the workshop and on set, learning techniques they can’t be taught in the classroom alone. They bring fresh talent into the business as well as new ideas and enthusiasm to the team.”

Carmela added:

“Businesses of all sizes should consider recruiting apprentices. There is strong support and guidance for businesses in Wales who are considering the route – I believe that we wouldn’t be where we are today without our apprentices.”

The Welsh Government has recently announced a new package of incentives to encourage employers to recruit apprentices, with businesses in Wales now eligible to claim up to £3,000 for each apprentice they recruit.

Ken Stakes, Minister of Economy, Transport and North Wales said:

“Apprenticeships provide an excellent opportunity to learn whilst earning a wage and it’s great to see that Real SFX are successfully nurturing and developing their apprentices.

“The impact of coronavirus and the fast approaching end of the EU transition period have placed incredible pressures on our economy, with businesses across Wales facing many challenges. The new incentives offered for apprenticeships will support employers to strengthen their business, as well as giving young people in Wales a real chance to shine.

“Apprenticeships play a crucial part in the Welsh economy and I urge business owners to consider the benefits that apprentices can bring to their workforce.”

The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.

For more information about recruiting an apprentice, visit

www.gov.wales/apprenticeshipswales or call 03000 6 03000.

Mae cwmni effeithiau arbennig o Gaerdydd, Real SFX, wedi elwa o recriwtio prentisiaid i lenwi bylchau sgiliau yn y diwydiant creadigol ac mae bellach yn annog busnesau bach a chanolig eraill i ystyried prentisiaethau fel opsiwn recriwtio hyfyw.

Wrth i’r pandemig effeithio ar fusnesau, mae’r cwmni, sydd wedi ennill gwobrau BAFTA ac Emmy ac y mae ei waith yn cynnwys Peaky Blinders, His Dark Materials a Doctor Who, yn cydnabod gwerth tîm cryf, cefnogol a’r angen i fuddsoddi yn nyfodol ei weithlu.

Meddai Carmela Carruba, cyfarwyddwr Real SFX:

“Yn ystod y cyfnod ansicr hwn, mae perchnogion ac arweinwyr busnesau yn gwneud penderfyniadau sy'n newid bywydau, gan recriwtio ac ail-werthuso eu cynnyrch a'u gwasanaethau. Mae dod o hyd i'r bobl iawn ar y lefel iawn i gefnogi eich anghenion busnes yn hanfodol, ac mae'r Rhaglen Brentisiaethau yn hanfodol er mwyn i ni ffynnu ar dalent newydd ffres.

“Mae recriwtio prentisiaid wedi rhoi hwb mawr i ysbryd aelodau eraill o’r staff. Maent yn mwynhau ymgymryd â rôl mentor, trosglwyddo eu sgiliau ac mae’n eu cymell i weithio’n galetach. Yn ei dro, bydd yr arbenigedd gwerthfawr hwn yn sicrhau bod y genhedlaeth nesaf o bobl greadigol yn cael y profiad angenrheidiol i amddiffyn ein diwydiant yn y dyfodol.

“I ni, prentisiaethau yw’r dull recriwtio gorau, a byddwn yn parhau i recriwtio prentisiaid i gefnogi twf a chynaliadwyedd ein busnes.”

Recriwtiodd Real SFX ei brentis cyntaf yn 2012 ar ôl gweld bod prinder technegwyr medrus yng Nghymru. Yn ddiweddar, mae'r cwmni wedi symud i adeilad mwy, gan sefydlu adran colur a phrostheteg a fydd yn galluogi recriwtio mwy fyth o brentisiaid.

Meddai Carmela:

“Pan wnaethom symud o Lundain gyntaf i ddechrau’r busnes yng Nghaerdydd, cawsom drafferth dod o hyd i griw effeithiau arbennig lleol. Roedd rhaid i ni edrych am bobl leol y gallem eu hyfforddi yn y sgiliau penodol yr oedd eu hangen arnom.

“Fe wnaethom ddechrau recriwtio prentisiaid wyth mlynedd yn ôl. Mae tua 95% o’n holl brentisiaid yn aros o fewn y busnes naill ai fel gweithwyr amser llawn neu weithwyr llawrydd. Rydym yn credu mewn cyfle cyfartal ac rydym yn recriwtio pobl o bob oed ac o ystod o gefndiroedd gwahanol.

“Mae’r diwydiant creadigol yn gystadleuol ac yn symud yn gyflym ac i ni, prentisiaethau yw’r ffordd fwyaf effeithiol o sicrhau bod gennym weithlu sydd wedi eu hyfforddi yn y sgiliau sydd eu hangen arnom i fodloni anghenion y busnes. Mae prentisiaid yn dysgu sgiliau gwerthfawr yn y gweithdy ac ar set, gan ddysgu technegau na ellir eu dysgu mewn ystafell ddosbarth yn unig. Maent yn dod â thalent ffres i’r busnes yn ogystal â syniadau newydd a brwdfrydedd i’r tîm.”

“Dylai busnesau o bob maint ystyried recriwtio prentisiaid. Mae cymorth ac arweiniad cryf ar gael i fusnesau yng Nghymru sy’n ystyried y trywydd hwn – dw i ddim credu y bydden ni mor llwyddiannus ag yr ydym heddiw heb ein prentisiaid,” ychwanegodd Carmela.

Yn ddiweddar mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyhoeddi pecyn newydd o gymhellion i annog cyflogwyr i recriwtio prentisiaid, gyda busnesau yng Nghymru bellach yn gymwys i hawlio hyd at £3,000 am bob prentis y maent yn ei recriwtio.

Dywedodd Ken Stakes, Gweinidog yr Economi, Trafnidiaeth a Gogledd Cymru:

“Mae prentisiaethau’n cynnig cyfle rhagorol i ddysgu tra’n ennill cyflog ac mae’n wych gweld bod Real SFX yn llwyddo i feithrin a datblygu eu prentisiaid.

“Mae effaith y coronafeirws a’r ffaith bod cyfnod pontio’r UE ar fin dod i ben wedi rhoi pwysau aruthrol ar ein heconomi, gyda busnesau ledled Cymru yn wynebu llawer o heriau. Bydd y cymhellion newydd a gynigir ar gyfer prentisiaethau yn cefnogi cyflogwyr i gryfhau eu busnes, yn ogystal â rhoi cyfle go iawn i bobl ifanc yng Nghymru ddisgleirio.

“Mae prentisiaethau’n chwarae rhan hollbwysig yn economi Cymru ac rwy’n annog perchnogion busnes i ystyried y manteision y gall prentisiaid eu cynnig i’w gweithlu.”

Ariennir y Rhaglen Prentisiaethau yng Nghymru gan Lywodraeth Cymru gyda chefnogaeth o Gronfa Gymdeithasol Ewropeaidd.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am recriwtio prentis, ewch i

www.llyw.cymru/prentisiaethau neu ffoniwch 03000 6 03000.