Digital Journalism Apprenticeship Review

Each apprentice is allocated a different placement, so your day-to-day work depends wholly on your placement. I am based in radio. My day consists of a range of activities. I write articles, make videos and audio content (e.g. clips for the website) and I also take photographs in the studio of contributors. I also get to produce discussions for the radio, pitching stories and finding contributors to appear on the radio.

I have learnt many new skills. Before my apprenticeship I had never used much of the technology they use at the BBC. I have learnt editing skills on Final Cut Pro as well as publishing skills surrounding the different programmes the BBC uses. I have also had the opportunity to learn how to use photoshop to edit images and also to create illustrations. I have also developed my storytelling skills, both in film making and writing articles.

I really enjoy my programme. It is incredibly varied and, depending on the placement you are allocated, can help you to learn a whole host of new skills. I work in Radio and have completely different experiences than other apprentices in TV or News online. If you enjoy writing or creating content, it is a great opportunity. It is such a creative apprenticeship which is perfect for me as a budding journalist.

The apprenticeship is very well organised. You’d expect people to have less time for the apprentices because the BBC is such a big organisation, but there is so much support in place for us. We have a dedicated team of managers - including both a placement manager who we see daily, as well as a great apprenticeship manager. Our apprenticeship manager and his team at BBC Academy are fantastic. They arrange training opportunities - such as TV package training, digital video training and radio training - and are there to help if we have any queries. My apprenticeship is split into 3 different placements so I can get experience in different mediums and areas of the BBC.

I receive a huge amount of support from my employer. I have a dedicated apprenticeship manager as well as a placement manager who I can go to with any issues. They are hugely supportive. The BBC also has a dedicated counselling service which any staff can access, which makes it easy to confide in someone if you have problems that you don’t feel comfortable sharing with your immediate colleagues. In terms of support in my development there is also a huge amount. Each apprentice is given a buddy (who is a previous apprentice who has experienced it all before) and a mentor who has lots of experience across the BBC and can help with my development and skills.

There is a lot of support when working towards our NCTJ qualification at Wolverhampton College. We have a dedicated team at the college of three teachers and a pastoral support team. The college is also the top nctj further education provider in the UK (for the past 9 years!) All of the apprenticeship team are also incredible supportive. We get one study day every week to keep up with our studies and they’re very good at making sure we’re maintaining a good work-college-life balance!

The qualification is based on a range of skills required to be a journalist. These modules include practical skills such as video journalism, radio, essential journalism, etc. We also learn about the regulations and law behind reporting, through broadcast regulations and media law modules, which help to avoid legal issues in our day jobs. All of these modules are very helpful in becoming a better journalist. It is also very beneficial to have an NCTJ qualification to develop in your career as a journalist, so I am very lucky that the BBC pay for the NCTJ course for me.

There are many extra curricular activities to get involved in if you choose to at the BBC. There are lots of different clubs and panels you can join on topics you feel strongly about - such as women in the media and young people’s panels. There are also additional free training events which are optional, but can really help you to develop your skills. Depending on your placement there are also exciting opportunities within the day job. I have had the chance to work from festivals and attend networking evenings, and I know colleagues who have reported from red carpets or exclusive press events.

Yes

Personally I think the BBC cares about its staff and makes an effort to ensure they have a lot of opportunities to develop their skills. There is good chance of career progression and each day is so varied that working at the BBC could never get boring. If you want to become a journalist, the apprenticeship is a fantastic way to get your foot in the door, and as jobs at the BBC are very competitive, it is a great achievement to successfully get a job.

Be yourself - I applied for the apprenticeship twice in different years. The first time I tried to be what I though the BBC was looking for and was unsuccessful. They aren’t looking for anything specific, and actually want new and interesting applicants that they haven’t seen before. So just be you and shine, and you’re more likely to be successful. Show your creativity and try to be innovative in the process and you’ll do great!