Business Management Apprentice Review

My apprenticeship is 3 years long. We have 6 months placements across different departments within the BBC. We are given job titles within each department and projects to work on. We also have 20% off the job to complete uni work and attend university workshops.

I have learnt a lot about the broadcast industry across tv and radio. I have developed my communication skills, project management skills and agility.

I enjoy the scheme I’ve got a lot of opportunities to network and attend industry events and made life long friends.

It’s organised to a degree however there isn’t a lot of communication between the learning provider and the BBC . It’s frustrating sometimes and means you have to figure things out on your own.

We’re supported to a point. However there have been issues regarding The 20% time off and what that means in terms of study time. As a cohort we have struggled with just getting half a day a week to study as were in an accelerated course which means we’re doing 2 modules at once for most of the year. After expressing that we’ve been struggling and could use a whole day a week we were told it’s not possible. Even though half a day a week is based on doing one module at a time.

As previously mentioned it’s been challenging to get time off agreed which is very negatively effected, I feel, productivity and mental health.

The qualification and style of the course is catered towards people who are managing already. This has made it difficult as we don’t get opportunities within the BBC to manage or lead which has made applying some of the knowledge very difficult.

There are professional networking events but it depends on what scheme you get. Everyone rotates but doesn’t necessarily get the same opportunities which makes it slightly unfair.

No

I think I would recommend there scheme to someone who is 18 and a school leaver but I am considerably older and there isn’t enough in place that caters to your existing knowledge and experience and or enough bespoke placements that challenge someone who is older.

I would say be yourself, there is no right candidate and you’ll do better to show off what makes you unique. The organisation as a whole needs more diversity and more diversity of though so it’s important to really ensure this shines through.