Learning to drive, making friends to build networks and checking your emails are just some of the skills needed to break into TV. That’s what a panel of experts told an engaged young audience at the RTS Midlands Careers Fair in Birmingham.

More than 300 people packed into the Midlands Arts Centre to find out more from broadcasters, including ITV Central and the BBC, podcasters, independent production companies, educators and training providers such as BFI, Mission Accomplished and ScreenSkills.

As well as a hall filled with stalls – and the chance to get hands-on experience, such as practising reading the news – the panel sessions gave invaluable advice. Several speakers mentioned what a “weird and wonderful” industry television is, with an informal job application process and many ways into the business.

“A lot of hiring will take place over a five-minute conversation in Costa,” said Caroline Officer, who runs the free Rock Up Ready courses for Create Central. “You won’t find work in our sector on [job sites] Glassdoor or Indeed.”

Sometimes it’s a combination of luck and having the courage to approach a stranger. Rose Wilde from Crew Birmingham explained how she got into TV after noticing a film crew on her road, shooting for Debbie Isitt’s film Nasty Neighbours.

“I walked up to the nearest person with a walkie-talkie and said, ‘Hello, what’s going on, and can I help?’” recalled Wilde. “She said, ‘Yes, we’ve just fired somebody.’ So, the very next day, I took their job in the production office.”

‘Each and every one of you has every right to be in this industry’

Wilde worked her way up from runner to assistant director to line producer on shows including Doctors, Embarrassing Bodies and Miss Marple. She later set up Crew Birmingham to showcase local talent and holds Reel Brum networking events every month.

Other places offering help include Filming in England, which has a new entrant starter pack, free to download from its website, offering information and advice including CV templates. Sam Rifkin from Filming in England advised: “Be really honest on your CV with where your skillset is. It does more harm than good to jump the gun, and there’s no shame in admitting your lack of experience.”

One helpful tip from Martin Simms of Create Central was: “Please check your emails. I know of so many missed opportunities because people didn’t look at their emails. Also, watch other people’s projects.”

The panellists agreed on learning to drive. Officer said: “It’s ridiculous to say, but not being able to drive is such a barrier. We know how expensive it is to learn, but there is help available, such as ScreenSkills bursaries.”

She added: “I want to implore you not to suffer from imposter syndrome! Do not think that you don’t have a place in this industry. It’s true that it is dominated by upper middle-class white men, but only we can change that. We are the most diverse region in the UK outside London, with the most incredible, rich mix of people and backgrounds. Our industry should be telling stories from right across the board, and we are a region that can absolutely deliver them. Each and every one of you in this room has every right to be in this industry.”

The audience was told how the future is looking brighter for the next TV generation in the Midlands, thanks to leading productions, including Silent Witness and MasterChef, moving to the region.

As Lenny Henry said in one of the inspiring film clips shown: “These are exciting times. Jump in and get in the swim, bab.”

The RTS Midlands Careers Fair, produced by Jayne Rae, was held at the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham on 9 October.