Digital Journalism Apprentice Review

I am a Digital Journalism Apprentice at BBC Radio Manchester and my daily tasks include filming and editing content for social media, sourcing stories, finding guests and writing cues (scripts for presenters).

I developed editing skills both with audio and video, I also improved my general writing skills. I received a formal qualification too, the NCTJ Level 3 Diploma.

I enjoy some aspects of the programme at the placement I am with currently as I feel my writing/editing skills have improved, however before I arrived at this placement I spent many months in other areas of the BBC where I felt my skills were not utilised at all.

At the placement I am currently with I feel quite valued, but the other areas I worked in I felt quite useless and disposable. I also felt like I wasn't taken very seriously due to age/background.

My programme is quite organised in the sense that there are many things pre-arranged for you and you don't have to source a placement yourself. I never felt I needed to organise training myself.

I have received a reasonable amount of support from the training provider and did not at any time feel out of my depth or find myself struggling to complete work.

Certain members of staff have given me a lot of support and have been very helpful and kind. I do feel that not enough support has been given towards the end with finding lasting work once the apprenticeship ends.

My salary just about meets my costs but is well paid in comparison to other apprenticeships and schemes. Travel costs are quite hight and the area I live is quite expensive, but I don't struggle too much.

There aren't many opportunities outside of work e.g. company events or activities, but this suits me as I don't like to spend my free time at work anyway.

No

It depends on the person but I feel that the BBC can be quite an overwhelming place for a person of my age and background. it can be hard to be taken seriously if you are young and working class (depending on which department you're in).

I would advise people to really read and understand the questions on the application and make sure they answer them as truthfully as possible. I would also recommend people to genuinely be themselves in their application and include things that really show off their uniqueness.