Student wages and employment conditions in film and TV production education.
How the fluid works and what can leak from it
One of the good things about vocational education is that you earn money while you learn. When you've entered into a training agreement with a company, you get student wages from the day the agreement takes effect — and you get paid both when you're at the company and when you're at school. This sets you apart from many other students who live on student grants.
§Why does salary increase over time?
The apprentice wages are stepped up so they increase the further you are in the education. The wages are divided into several periods and you move up one step as time goes. The logic is simple: at the beginning you need to be trained a lot while towards the end you can often solve tasks more independently and thus create greater value in the productions.
§What is a collective agreement?
A collective agreement is an agreement between employers and the employees' organizations about salary and working conditions in a trade. In this field there is a collective agreement between the trade union FAF (Film and TV Workers Association) and the employer side about apprentices in film and TV production education. It covers the versatile training in the work areas connected to both film and TV assistant and film and TV production technician.
- 01Minimum wage and gradual wage increases through the course
- 02Pension contribution
- 03Rules on working hours, breaks and rest time
- 04Right to leave and pay during leave
- 05Terms during illness
§If you are an adult student
If you are 25 at the start of the basic course, it may be possible to enter into an adult apprentice agreement. Adult apprentices are typically covered by a separate, higher rate than young students. The actual salary depends on the applicable collective agreement — clarify this with your employer and union before signing.
§A trade with changing framework
Film and TV production does not always follow a fixed 8-16 working day. Recording days can be long, and broadcasts, events and deadlines can mean evening and weekend work. The collective agreement therefore regulates working hours, supplements and rest periods — it's worth knowing what applies when a recording day drags on.
§When you are skilled.
As fully trained you move from apprentice wages to skilled wages. You now have a journeyman's certificate and can take independent responsibility for tasks. Skilled conditions typically mean a higher basic wage than apprentice time and better opportunities to negotiate because you have proof of your skills.
“You earn while you learn — and your journeyman's certificate is proof that follows you for the rest of your career.”
If you are in doubt about your rights, remember that the union is there to help. They know the collective agreement in your area and can check whether your wages and conditions are as they should be.