Apprentice Broadcast Operator Review

The role varied across the duration of the apprenticeship. Each 2 month placement was within a different department in my building. I began in Studio camera operation where I worked on a variety of live programmes, then onto TV sound and radio Studio managing which gave me essential experience balancing live sound and editing audio into entire programmes. I also worked in video editing, lighting, and location camera work. All of the roles I worked in gave me a chance to work on real live and recorded output, and often I was trusted to work unsupervised in my work.

I have learned skills in each area I've worked. Many of these are specific to the BBC, many are more general skills for working in the industry. I can use a variety of software from video to sound editing, as well as operating technologies such as studio and on-location cameras, professional sound desks, and lighting equipment. I had little experience in most of these areas before starting. I had done camera work, as well as sound and video editing, however I developed and learned all of my current skillset from the apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship was split into 2 main parts, generally approximately 2 months of placement, and then 2 months of college work. The placements were fantastic, and I got to work on a broad range of skills with great teams who were eager to help. The college work wasn't handled well by the provider, however the team of apprentices I was there with were fantastic, and made the experience great.

The management of the programme were great, and available for questions and support at any time. The organisation was good, however to make the most out of the apprenticeship I needed to push for opportunities myself. The organisation of the college work was atrocious and we were regularly in the dark, with various lecturers throughout who were learning with us as we went. However the management at the BBC are not to blame for this and tried to help as best they could, it was entirely the responsibility of the college.

The support from the management was fantastic throughout the apprenticeship. In more general terms, most of the people I have encountered at the BBC have been keen to help in any way they can. I found approaching people to ask for help or opportunities was often met with overwhelming support, far above and beyond what I had asked initially.

The training provider let this apprenticeship down. The staff provided to teach us were untrained, and regularly changing due to staff leaving. We had to take things into our own hands for the majority of the apprenticeship, to ensure we could pass exams. Things started to settle towards the end of the apprenticeship as we had a single lecturer who put effort into helping us for the last 8 months, however this was too little too late. Often times, the staff at the training provider were learning courses with us as we went through text books. The training provider has changed for the years after my own, which I cannot comment on.

The qualification I have gained through this apprenticeship is more of a general skill. The networking and understanding of computers is a useful skill to have when it comes to solving general issues around the office or with devices I use. It is indirectly helpful to my job since it can speed up resolving issues without having to phone IT or engineering. However, I do not feel it is particularly appropriate to the work itself.

There are additional events, generally dependent on teams organising them. I believe there are more specific clubs/teams if I were to seek them out, however I did not during this apprenticeship. I spent a lot of time amongst the teams I worked with, however this was generally entirely during work hours.

Yes

The BBC is a fantastic place to learn skills for a career in broadcasting. I was placed amongst fantastic teams who were a pleasure to work with. It has put me in a fantastic position to start a career, and enabled me to move into a job at the end of the apprenticeship with relative ease.

The process for getting into the BBC is proving your initiative and ensuring you come across as a good person to work with. It is not entirely about whether you hit the requirements for the job - though this is important, and more about understanding why you would fit in as a character. The apprenticeship sought a genuine, passionate interest in the job, rather than experience.