BBC’s Radio Journalism Apprenticeship Scheme returns for its second year
BBC radio has announced a second cohort of apprenticeships for aspiring radio producers, a scheme developed with the NCTJ.
BBC radio has announced a second cohort of apprenticeships for aspiring radio producers, a scheme developed with the NCTJ.
Following the success of a pilot programme launched in September 2013, the two-year scheme offers six placements and will focus on speech radio, concentrating on BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Service. The scheme welcomes candidates without university degrees and aims to allow people from all backgrounds to gain careers in radio.
Apprentices combine working within the BBC with study at Lambeth College. At the end of the two-year training, the apprentices will have all the skills and knowledge needed to gain an Advanced Apprenticeship in Journalism.
The application process opens on the 17th March via the BBC Careers site (http://www.bbc.co.uk/careers/trainee-schemes/radio-journalism-apprenticeship)
Graham Ellis, controller of production and deputy director, BBC Radio, said: “This is a great opportunity for individuals with the right aptitude and commitment to take a traditional and effective route into journalism and broadcasting.”
Joanne Butcher, chief executive of the NCTJ, said: “The NCTJ is pleased the inaugural BBC Radio Journalism Apprenticeship Scheme is to be repeated with the recruitment of a new intake of young enthusiastic apprentices. The BBC has designed a first-class on-the-job training programme, complemented by day-release training delivered by the award-winning journalism department at Lambeth College and assessed to the NCTJ’s exacting industry standards.”
Mark Silverman, principal of Lambeth College, said: “We are delighted that we can continue to offer the Apprenticeship in Radio Journalism in partnership with the BBC Radio production department. Last year’s cohort had a highly productive and successful experience and we aim to extend the same opportunities to more budding radio journalists.”
Last year’s apprentices have already begun work on a variety of well-known BBC radio programmes including Saturday Live, The Film Programme, and Desert Island Discs.
Before joining their programme teams they recorded a series of audio features investigating the challenges involved in speech radio stations appealing to young people. Apprentice Olivia Cope said: “It was a huge learning curve for all of us from the day we were set the challenge to make the features, to the day we presented them to our editors, family and friends. Having a piece of audio I made from scratch being on the BBC website is an amazing achievement and an even better feeling.”
Visit www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/art20140206113729859 to listen to the podcasts.
