CinemaNext has launched its Cine-Tec Cinema Engineer Apprentice Scheme - The Johnny Poole Foundation in the UK. This two-year apprenticeship program aims to cultivate the next generation of cinema technology experts and address the growing skills shortage facing the industry and has already accepted its first candidate.
The initiative is named after the late Johnny Poole, CinemaNext’s renowned cinema technology engineer, who passed away earlier this year but whose legacy continues to inspire excellence in the field. The program provides comprehensive training covering all aspects of cinema technology, including projection, sound design, and installation, while offering mentorship from experienced professionals and equipment manufacturers. Its creation was spearheaded by Krisztina Verebes, cinema partnerships manager UK & Ireland CinemaNext UK.
"The cinema industry is facing a critical shortage of skilled technical talent, as many seasoned projectionists and engineers have retired in recent years," said Simon Carter, operations and sales manager UK & Ireland of CinemaNext. "Through the Johnny Poole Foundation, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of cinema technology professionals and ensuring the continued vitality of cinemas across the UK. We also want it to be a lasting legacy to Johnny’s memory."
The launch of the Cine-Tec Apprentice Scheme comes at a pivotal time for the industry. As cinema attendance continues to rebound from the challenges of the pandemic, cinemas are faced with the pressing need to maintain and upgrade their technical infrastructure. However, the lack of experienced technicians has made it increasingly difficult for cinemas to keep pace with their growth and innovation plans.
"Investing in skills through apprenticeships is essential to address the shortages in the technical and engineering sector," said Carter. "We are proud to be at the forefront of this initiative and look forward to welcoming our first cohort of apprentices who will play a vital role in shaping the future of the cinema industry."
The inaugural class of the Cine-Tec Apprentice Scheme has already been selected, with the first apprentice Elliot Horstead having joined the CinemaNext UK team in October 2024. CinemaNext is committed to expanding the program in the coming years to build a robust pipeline of skilled cinema technology professionals.