BBC launches recruitment for an apprentice
The BBC is to launch recruitment for an apprentice for BBC Radio Devon as part of its biggest ever apprenticeship scheme.
The Local Apprenticeship Scheme was announced by BBC Director General Tony Hall in August 2013, when he pledged that the BBC would have an apprentice in every local radio station by September 2014. He also announced at that time that, by the end of October 2014, the BBC would deliver on its commitment to have one per cent of its public service workforce made up of apprentices, two years early.
The new 15 month scheme will be run by the BBC Academy in partnership with the City of Wolverhampton College, and will culminate in a Level 3 apprenticeship in Journalism, certified by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). It will offer 45 local apprenticeships in BBC local radio stations as well as in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as part of the corporation’s commitment to open up its employment and recruitment to people from the broadest possible range of backgrounds and communities.
Would-be Local Apprentices will be non-graduates who demonstrate that they are creative, news-aware, and are passionate and knowledgeable about their local area.
Successful candidates will start on 29 September when, after an initial 6-8 week training period, they will work as Apprentice Broadcast Assistants in 39 English local radio stations and 2 in Wales, or 4 Apprentice Content Assistants in radio stations each in Scotland and Northern Ireland (two in each).
The roles typically carry out research, pitch ideas, help to produce radio programmes, gather news and sometimes broadcast on air. Once the apprentices have completed the scheme, they will be able to apply for jobs in these roles.
David Holdsworth, Controller, English Regions, said: “The BBC wants to attract a diverse range of people to its workforce and the apprenticeship scheme is about giving opportunities to those who perhaps don't have academic qualifications or who have previously thought that the BBC was not for them. Enthusiasm, attitude and creativity are equally as important and are exactly what we will be looking for in our apprentices.”
Claire Paul, Head of Entry Level Talent, BBC Academy said: “This new apprenticeship scheme underlines our commitment to opening up opportunities in new areas of the BBC to the brightest talent from the broadest range of backgrounds.”
Apply from 14 April at http://www.bbc.co.uk/las
