Digital Journalism Apprentice Review

In the office I edit videos for BBC Lifestyle & Health and BBC Family & Education. These are for social and for the website. I look for ideas for videos and then film them on shoots around the North of England. I've been to Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool. I also attend training in Birmingham, London and Evesham. This is in TV, radio and digital training.

The main skill I have learnt is how to use Final Cut Pro, video editing software for digital and TV video. I have also learnt how radio is broadcast and what goes on behind the scenes to ensure the programme runs nice and smoothly. I've also learnt to be more patient.

The programme is amazing! I genuinely love it and feel so grateful to be here. I am still overwhelmed with everything I've been able to do and the chances I will get in the future because of this apprenticeship. But, my only criticism is that if you have to move away for the job then the wage isn't enough. It seems unfair to me that people living at home in London get the London living wage, when they don't have to pay bills etc, but if you're based up North living away from home you get paid less. The BBC is trying to encourage more Northern working class people to work for them but financing the apprenticeship is such a major aspect, and it makes it difficult at times to afford to do anything except work.

The year plan is clear and easy to refer too whenever I need too. I know exactly when my exams are and where I need to be. There was one change to a training week meaning that plans I had made before (which were in accordance to the plan) had to be rescheduled. However, this was told to us a couple of weeks in advance which gave me time to do so.

[This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] is extremely supportive and gives help whenever it's needed. She is in charge of organising the apprenticeship for us. Wolverhampton provides support in the form of a lady called Hazel who is lovely. But I have repeatedly emailed one of the lecturers and rarely get replies. My boss Al is extremely supportive and I feel lucky to have been put on his team.

Wolverhampton College does regular reviews with [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] on mental wellbeing and these are very useful and a positive part of the college. But, some of the lecturers can be unsupportive stating "we don't have time for questions" or "I have went over this before so I won't tell you again" This can be extremely frustrating at times especially when you want to learn the information and pass the exams.

The media law and public affairs exams are really useful and have helped me understand politics and news much better. Similarly, the broadcast regulation and how to write a OOV lessons are very useful for any future work in TV. Personally, I think Essential Journalism is outdated. What I have been taught in lessons I have been untaught at the BBC and the contrast in styles made it difficult for me to understand what was the 'correct way' to write an article. This was also one of the hardest exams to revise for as I feel you either get it or you don't.

A male football team that some of my colleagues are part of. There is language classes but as afore mentioned I can't afford to attend them due to my wage. We also attended a staff party which was a social event, it was paid for by the BBC and very enjoyable.

Yes

I think the BBC is a wonderful company to work for. The support and the people you meet makes all the stress worth it. You feel like you're genuinely doing something useful and not just the 'apprentice'. It's such a incredible opportunity and I love it so much.

I would tell them to make sure that they know exactly what they're applying for. It's not university, you miss out on a lot of social events e.g. freshers but it's important to socialise too and not just work all the time. The people you meet through work will be some of your best friends. It's a job AND education so there's a lot of work. But, the work is worth it. Make sure you know with every part of your being that this is what you want to do, so even when it get's hard you can remind yourself why you're doing it.