Broadcast Operator Review

My role is Broadcast Operator. I do various things that relate to the technical operation that goes into the broadcast of regional news in Yorkshire. My roles include: sound operator, hub operator, editing, shooting, vision mixing, etc. I've been getting a lot of hands-on experience in some roles but nowhere near as much in many others.

I've developed a lot of new skills that relate to my job role and picked a few things up at college. It's been really hard to get to grips with the stuff we've been doing at college, though, as it doesn't really relate to the work placement and we've had so little time actually learning the stuff at college.

I've had some really great days at work. When I have got hands-on experience I've come away feeling very positive. Unfortunately, though, I'd have to say that these are too rare an occasion. The college side would be more enjoyable if it actually related to the job description that I originally applied for.

I don't feel in anyway valued at all really. I'm not sure how much the people at my work placement had to do with the decision to offer me this role because the communication between my placement and them has been non-existent. My placement manager is never around and doesn't even know my name. I also struggle with having to pay for expenses before claiming them back due to the low wage and having a family, so was thankful for the ability to apply for an expenses advance. However, since moving to the new system I've been told this can't happen any more as it is "out of policy". If the advance system isn't their to support the lowest paid employees of the BBC then I'm not sure who it is there for?

I don't feel like it has been organised very well. Some of our dates at college inconveniently take place during school holidays which has led to the college getting in staff to teach us at very short notice, often with little preparation. I've lost count of the amount of times that our schedule has been changed. I also don't feel like there's an end goal to this apprenticeship, we're working as a technical operator at work and being treated as an engineer at college, with no clear view to a job at the end of it.

Some of the teachers have been brilliant but the majority have been extremely poor. A lot didn't have a clue about our apprenticeship or what we were supposed to be achieving out of the course. This includes the leadership team as well.

I feel that my line manager at work has been very accommodating and helpful with any issues that I've had. However, we cannot apply to jobs outside of the BBC until the end of our contract which would be fine if there were a lot of opportunities for jobs at the BBC but there isn't. It just means I'm gonna probably struggle for a month or so at the end of my contract.

It doesn't meet my costs but I do have 2 young children. I think the salary is well-suited to late teens who are living at home and whose parents don't ask for any contributions towards bills. I understand that I'm in a minority age group in regards to the people applying for this apprenticeship but do feel that the salary would attract a wider range of people if it was at a decent level.

I really don't think so. If money is no option, you can afford to work for free, and you can travel around the country then you will definitely find some opportunities.

No

I can only speak for myself. I've heard some great stuff from other apprentices where their managers at work have really laid out a good plan and route towards getting them a job at the end of this. That hasn't been the case for me. I've spent nearly 2 years struggling along with this wage only to be sent away to college for half of it, learning about stuff that is more closely related to my previous job, which I had hoped I'd left behind. Also, there was nothing in the job description that related to this and it all feels a bit sly. I feel like there are casual freelancers at work that are already ahead of me in the pecking order for a job despite being there for less time than me as they have received more adequate training.

Don't apply unless you already have a lot of money and freedom to re-locate.