This webinar is aimed at potential participants of SSA's pilot Sustainability Supervisor Training. We will cover why the program has been created, who the program is for, the curriculum, what will be expected of participants and answer audience questions regarding the program.
Program overview
With funding from Netflix Australia and Screen Australia, SSA has developed a first of its kind Sustainability Supervisor training program for the Australian screen industry. Sustainability Supervisors sit at Head of Department level which ensures this relatively new role has the best chance of industry impact.
Six participants from across Australia will be selected to participate in the pilot training, coming to the program with solid experience of the industry. The program will run from April - August 2025. Beginning with an in person retreat 4th-6th April, followed by six online evening classes before culminating in an eight week paid in-role placement on a production.
What is a Sustainability Supervisor?
The Sustainability Supervisor reports to the UPM or Line Producer and sits alongside other heads of department. It’s a multifaceted, hands-on role working across all levels and areas of production. Responsibilities are dependent on the scale of a production, and might include:
- Working alongside development teams and/or producers to create a productions environmental strategy, policies, action plans
- Collaborating with HODs to empower them to implement environmental practices within their teams and source local, sustainable suppliers
- Researching and engaging environmentally sustainable suppliers and solutions for all departments
- Educating and engaging crew through gamification, competition and celebration to support and normalise sustainable practices
- Collecting, collating and reporting on carbon emissions
- Recruiting additional support staff as a production scales up or down with a coordinators, waste systems assistants, bin wranglers or an emissions reduction officer
Who we’re looking for
Participants selected for the program will be from across Australia, coming to the program with solid experience of the industry. There will be a detailed application process, as we are looking for participants with a combination of the following experience, knowledge and qualities:
- Prior experience as an HOD, supervisor or 5+ years of coordination experience in the screen industry (required).
- A strong, consistent and positive attitude (required).
- Experience facilitating cultural shifts towards new practices.
- Qualification in environmental or sustainability studies and understanding of global environmental issues and solutions.
- Experience developing policies or strategies.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- High level of initiative and ability to work independently.
- Practical and collaborative problem solving skills.
- Critical thinking and research skills.
- Interest in national and international policies, sharing local and international screen sector learnings and best practice.
- Financial literacy and interest or experience in data collection and reporting
- Availability to attend the 8 week program, including the two in-person workshops and weekly check-ins.
We are designing the program to ensure it appeals to a diverse cohort and are keen to hear from people with a range of backgrounds and experiences.
