Leadership Fast Track: Bitesized training for emerging Managers

Course Details

The world of screen production is constantly in motion. In order to thrive in this fast-paced industry, today’s creatives need more than just technical skills—they need to be agile, competent, and confident leaders when the time comes for them to transition into management roles. This course will provide the tools and frameworks needed to tackle the unique challenges of modern screen production, from fostering psychological safety to building truly inclusive teams. Get ready to elevate your leadership, empower your crew, and lead with purpose in an ever-changing sector.

Designed and delivered by leading People and Culture (HR) consultant, Lisa Balderson, this training draws on her knowledge, expertise and experience to help you reach your own potential as a new manager/role model and gain tools, techniques and increased confidence to help others reach their potential, too.

Programme Highlights

• Learn from an experienced creative industries People and Culture (HR) Consultant
• Strengthen understanding around wellbeing and psychological safety
• Build your own toolkit of coaching and communication techniques
• Develop strategies to tackle common management challenges
• Consider how to create an inclusive and responsible workplace
• Take away practical resources – designed for managers to apply immediately in their day-to-day work.
• Establish your own professional support networking through action learning sets.

What to expect

This course is delivered using online course modules (via zoom) with a final in-person session to encourage participants to build peer networks for future support.

We aim to give you access to course resources 1-2 weeks ahead of the trainer-led sessions, allowing you time to familiarise yourself with how the sessions will run, immerse yourself in topics to come, and explore additional learning opportunities.  This will act as a foundation to the trainer-led zoom sessions and will help you to prepare for the lively discussions and learning ahead.

Also join in with the Getting to Know You forum and meet your fellow participants and trainer – laying the groundwork for the peer learning session at the end of the course.

Peer learning is integrated throughout the entire programme, encouraging you to build a support group for your future manager / influencer role.

Format

Flexible: 1 – 2 hours per session, delivered largely online, ideal for lunch-and-learns or production downtime, with a final in-person session to allow participants to meet, exchange ideas and grow their peer network.

Focussed: the sessions and resources will be tailored to the Welsh screen sector, its’ unique challenges and culture.

Practical: every module gives one tangible takeaway (tips sheet, template, guide)

This blended online/in-person programme will take place over 6 weeks from  27 January 2026.

Session Structure

Module 1: “Wellbeing-First” Kick-Starter (Online – 1 hour)
An interactive session to spotlight wellbeing challenges in creative industries, equip managers with quick mental health tools, and rehearse safe ways to handle sensitive conversations in the workplace.

Module 2: Freelance Smart – Management Essentials (Online – 90 mins)
Identifying your management style, creating an inclusive workplace and overcoming imposter syndrome.

Module 3. Inclusive Crew Culture – Fast Fixes (Online – 1 hour)
A practical toolkit for managers to embed inclusive practices in recruitment, onboarding, and crew culture, with focused resources and quick wins.

Module 4. Coaching Conversations – How to empower your teams – Workshop (Online – 2 hours)
A hands-on workshop to build coaching skills that unlock team potential through active listening, open questioning, and scenario practice—while also tackling communication and collaboration across multi-generational teams.

Module 5: Freelance Future Focus” (Online – 1 hour)
An interactive module on helping freelancers feel valued and supported, with practical strategies for progression and long-term impact.

Module 6: Peer learning and building your future support network (In person – 3 hours)
A collaborative session to share insights, spark fresh perspectives, and grow a support network for continued professional growth.
This trainer facilitated session is a chance to continue reflective practice, facilitate the sharing of best practice and innovative solutions, and contribute to your professional development. We hope this session will help to sow the seeds for continued support beyond the end of this course.

Participants are invited to stay after the facilitated session to network further with others.

Who is the trainer?  

​Lisa Balderson is a CIPD qualified People and Culture (HR) Consultant with more than 10 years’ experience, who works primarily in Film, TV and the screen sector as a whole.

​Her extensive creative industry experience provides her with a deep understanding of the culture within the sector, as well as the challenges that both individuals and employers face, in navigating these environments. This knowledge enables her to provide focussed, proactive and insightful solutions to those she works with.

​Lisa provides People and Culture (HR) consultancy to smaller independent companies, start-ups and film and TV productions start-ups, alongside creating and delivering training sessions for organisations such as ScreenSkills, BECTU, The Production Guild and her own clients.

​She also holds a Level 3 Award in Training and Education, specifically aimed at training those working in the Screen Industries, a Mental Health First Aid Certificate, and holds Approved Manager i-ACT status.

Delivery Details

How this Works

This programme is fully funded by Media Cymru and is delivered in partnership with Lisa Balderson.

This 6-session course is open to any Welsh or Wales-based professionals working in the screen sector (games, animation, VFX, post-production and film & TV). The first 5 sessions will be online with the final session being in person in central Cardiff.

There will be a maximum of 12 training places for this course.

Who can apply?

This course is open to any Welsh or Wales-based screen sector professionals working – or seeking to work – in the media sector.

This course is for anyone taking their first steps into people management or looking to develop their skills to lead projects and influence decisions across departments.

When and where?

Application deadline 5:00 pm on Monday 8 December 2025.

Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 12 December 2025.

Key dates

We ask that you ensure, you can commit to all the following training dates:

• Tuesday 27 January 2026 – Online
• Tuesday 3 February 2026- Online
• Tuesday 10 February 2026 – Online
• Half-term break
• Tuesday 24 February 2026 – Online
• Tuesday 3 March 2026 – Online
• Tuesday 10 March 2026, 10:00 to 13:00 – In person at University of South Wales, Cardiff Campus, CF24 2FN

Access and Accessibility

If you have any specific requirements that would make this application more accessible to you (such as advice, scribing or reading support) or would like this application in an alternative format (video or audio formats, audio narration, large font, plain text, or alternative language) please email media.cymru@southwales.ac.uk.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please contact:  media.cymru@southwales.ac.uk.