Are you ready to bring fire, wind, rain, snow and creative explosions to life on screen? We’re are recruiting for our next Special Effects Apprentice at come and join the wonderful world of Real SFX, based at our Cardiff HQ, working for a year whilst gaining a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media through Sgil Cymru.
At Real SFX, we make stories come alive with practical special effects that thrill audiences and inspire crews. From our workshops in Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham, and Manchester, we craft everything from smoke and fire to rigs, models, and props, all while championing safety, sustainability, and nurturing the next generation of SFX talent.
What You’ll Be Doing
As a Special Effects Apprentice, you’ll work in our Cardiff workshop alongside experienced technicians to help build and execute practical effects. This is hands-on SFX, not prosthetics or CGI.
You will:
Maintain a clean, safe workshop environment
Load and unload production kit and keep equipment organised
Assist with equipment maintenance and support other departments
Learn to operate specialist machinery for effects like wind, rain, snow, and fire
Develop the skills, health & safety mindset, and teamwork required for real-world screen productions
Who We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate will have:
A clean driving licence (minimum 3 years)
Flexibility around working hours
A keen interest in engineering, woodwork, mechanics, model-making, or electrics
A creative, problem-solving mindset and ability to learn quickly
Willingness to travel across the UK
Strong communication and teamwork skills
Desirable (but not essential): fluent Welsh; experience with Microsoft Office (Word/Excel)
Why This Matters
We’re passionate about sustainability and local talent. We want our crews to live and work where productions are filmed, helping build long-term careers and supporting regional growth.
We’ll be working with local training providers, upskilling and helping grow the next generation of Special Effects technicians right where the industry is expanding. 💥
This is a unique chance to learn, grow, and create amazing practical effects while being part of one of the UK’s leading SFX teams.
Practical Details
Location: Cardiff (with UK-wide travel)
Framework: 12-month Level 3 Apprenticeship in Creative & Digital Media (Sgil Cymru)
Wage: £21,000
Closing Date: 30 October 2025
Interviews: Week beginning 3 November 2025
Start Date: 1 December 2025
If you’re ready to join the Real SFX crew and help create spectacular practical effects, we’d love to hear from you. Email click here to apply through SGIL Cymru (no applications to us please).
