Digital Journalism Apprentice Review

Pitching ideas for the news, writing news articles, filming videos and editing them on Final Cut Pro, working with a team to template stories for the website, sourcing original news ideas, telephone interviews, contacting potential interviewees and arranging times to film with them, ringing press offices and running live news pages.

I've learnt interview techniques and skills and how to plan, prepare and edit interviews for digital news outlets. I've learned how to use video editing software like final cut pro x and record and produce radio packages. I've learnt how to do vox pops with the public and produce these for a radio show. My writing skills have improved and I've learnt techniques to write factual news reports.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme and it has exceeded my expectations. I travel a lot and receive top quality training from my employers in different locations across the UK. I have a lot of freedom to pitch and produce news ideas that I come up with and all of my colleagues are extremely helpful and want me to succeed.

The apprenticeship is very well organised. At the start of the programme, I was given an 18-month schedule of where I would be each week and when my training and diploma exams were happening. The programme is planned out to have set time on work placement and study time so there is an even balance.

My employer is there to answer any queries or assist with anything I'm unsure of if I ask for it. They are happy to help me with training and other colleagues are always on hand if I'm unsure of how to operate any news systems and need extra training.

My training provider emails me coursework and diploma papers to ensure I am up to date with studying for my diploma exams. They answer any emails with queries on study guidance and provide us with all the necessary books and study materials to prepare for exams. We sit timed tests when we are on placement as mock exams.

My qualification helps me to understand the legal side of journalism and what you're allowed to do in the workplace. It prepares me for working as a journalist as it teaches you to record vox pops, produce radio packages, edit video for the news, write news scripts and learn about government structure, which is essential when reporting on politics. The qualification greatly improved my confidence in writing the news.

There aren't any sports teams or groups but all of my work colleagues are linked together in a social networking chat and sometimes arrange activities outside of work. There are opportunities to join video calls with other teams around the UK for news updates so it's easy to keep in contact with work colleagues.

Yes

The BBC provide excellent schemes to get your foot in the door and gain experience in the biggest news organisation. Even if you don't come from a news background and haven't had any formal training in journalism, they welcome you in and see your potential to become a great reporter and are happy to train you up to their standard.

Show them that you're interested in journalism and proactive in becoming a journalist, even if you have no training or qualifications. Start a blog, a youtube channel, a podcast or try and get work experience in a local newspaper or radio station. They like to see that you're determined to get into journalism and that you have unique ideas for stories.