Apprentice Broadcast Engineer Review

I am mostly involved in the day to day engineering within the BBC, from making sure laptops work to getting people on air at the right time with the right equipment. I work behind the scenes and essentially try and keep things running as much as possible.

I will have a degree in broadcast engineering by the end of this but I have mostly learnt on the job- computer networking, practical problem solving and working under timed pressure. We go through BBC training to learn skills such as operating and fixing camera equipment or wiring, health and safety and to ensure we are away of every step of the broadcast sequence.

I really love being on the scheme when I am on placements. I feel valued and liked as well as being able to get to know loads of people in the industry, within my department and beyond. I like knowing that I will always have an interesting experience, whether it's new or old things that I learn, I know I can make the most of it.

I really feel appreciated by both my manager and the supervisors I have on my placements. The apprentices are treated with respect and allowed to be independent to a certain extent, but the managers and supervisors will always be there to support and give feedback on the work you're doing. In the wider company there will always be people who feel engineers are below them but these are a minority these days and most really appreciate the work we do.

Our course is well structured; the three years mapped out ahead of us so that we can get to grips with where we are and when before it all happens. Our training fits in with our university time well and they make sure that it is fairly separate from our placements so that we are not worrying about two things at once.

The university we study in has had it's ups and downs. but generally the tutors are supportive and knowledgable. Some of the less engaged tutors have been less easy to get on with and learn from, though due to having regular feedback meetings these individuals are either spoken to by their management or an alternative is put in place. This has meant we have had to have extensions and cover lessons to get through some of the topics and coursework.

Our managers and supervisors are very well attuned to what we need as a course. They know where we can go for placements and what each of us like best. If we have problems they do their best to fix them while still allowing us to learn and try and sort things out for ourselves when possible.

I am happy with how much I get paid for this course as the degree we work towards is also paid for. I live in London so receive London weighting which helps with travel costs. I think if the course paid a little more people might be less stressed about accommodation and travel costs, especially in first year as the salary is raised each September.

Within the BBC there are lots of opportunities to join clubs and social activities, we can participate in sporting ventures or join the BBC gym in London. There are meetups for LGBTQ+ people, Women in STEM and many other inclusivity programmes, chances to learn a new skill, learn sign language or go to one off events. I find that I normally get on really well with my colleagues and spend time with them outside of work as well while on placements.

Yes

It is a comfortable place to work, they understand mental illness, work towards diversity and genuinely care about who works for them. I think there is a lot of negative press about the company, but working for them is a chance to change it for the better, and they welcome change and inclusivity at every turn.

Don't be scared about the interview. They're looking for people who are inquisitive, creative and who want to be there. There is no such thing as being too passionate for something. Make the most of the things you have done so far but acknowledge what you have left to learn, and why the BBC could help you with that. Make sure you have done your research on the BBC values, it's quick and easy and makes a big difference if you're passionate about the place you're applying for. Someone has to get the job right?