Canada has long been recognized as a global film and television industry leader, with cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal serving as highly sought-after production hubs. For years, the country has been proactively building programs and initiatives to generate a steady stream of skilled cast and crew members.
Today, we'll examine why and how Canada is investing in training, education, and mentorship programs to build a strong, resilient workforce ready to fuel the future of Canadian production. The combination of modern virtual stages and top-of-the-line post-production houses has made many Canadian citiesโeven those outside major hubsโwell-equipped to support projects of any size and scope.
But are there enough skilled workers to effectively support the volume of production? Industry stakeholders have voiced concerns about the aging workforce, insufficient training for emerging roles in technology, and gaps in essential areasโincluding production accounting and technical below-the-line positionsโfor quite some time.
In recent years, government leaders and industry champions across Canada have prioritized building and replenishing local talent pools and filling these gaps. Training and education programs have been developed by local guilds, colleges, unions, and deeply vested companies, including Entertainment Partners.
Also aimed at addressing the production accounting shortage, Toronto-based Cinespace developed a production accounting micro-credential program with York University. The six-week curriculum provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of accounting in the creative sector. The program focuses on training individuals to take on set dec, props, grip, sound, costume, and electric crew positions. Beyond role-specific training opportunities, many Canadian universities offer accredited film degree programs.
