New Talent Apprentice Review

CMDA Apprentices change placement every six months. Two notable placements I've worked in include TV Planning, helping to manage costs of a TV channel's programme portfolio. My role involved balancing accounts and producing financial reports for month and year end. Another was TV Business Affairs; my role there involved drafting programme production contracts for television programmes.

This apprenticeship has enabled me to develop many existing soft skills, such as teamwork, communication and problem solving. I've also developed a number of new skills - for example, financial skills, such as how to balance monthly accounts. I have also learnt management and leadership skills in line with the apprenticeship standards

I absolutely love this programme. Changing placement every six months keeps you on your toes - the variety in job roles means the apprenticeship is never boring, and there is always something new to learn about. The workplace culture is friendly and inclusive. Teams throughout the BBC are very welcoming and supportive of apprentices.

The programme is, on the whole, well organised. University day release dates, and assignment deadlines are planned well in advance, enabling you to plan ahead. However, there is a certain level of ambiguity you have to learn to accept - for example, moving placements. You are typically not told which team you will be joining until about a week or so before placement rotations are due to take place, which can be frustrating

Plenty. In terms of study support, we recieve the standard 20% off-the-job time, as well as additional study days in the lead up to university deadlines to ensure we have sufficient time away from work to complete our university assignments. Pastoral support is accessible through multiple routes, whether that be HR, your placement manager or scheme manager. In terms of workplace support, the BBC is, on the whole, very supportive of apprentices. Every team I have joined has been welcoming and willing to help me learn as much as possible

A fair amount. Two weeks before a university deadline, you can submit a draft of any assignment and lecturers will give you feedback for improvement. There are weekly online meetings to support the online learning, where you can raise any questions you have. However, they are sometimes not as supportive as they could be; the assignment briefs are not always clearly written and it can take a while to get to the bottom of what is expected of you

The CMDA involves training to become a manager. Considering I am not a manager at the moment, I think the knowledge and skills I'm learning through my qualification will become more useful once I've finished the apprenticeship. However, a lot of the degree content is still applicable to employees and teams in general, so I feel that the knowledge and skills I'm learning are still somewhat useful within my day-to-day role

There are plenty of extra curricular activites to get involved in, such as lunchtime clubs for singing, sports teams etc. There are regular social networking events that are advertised - for example, the BBC has a 'Youth Talent Network' that all young employees can join, and this involves regular social events. You can also pay for membership of the BBC Club, which involves discounted drinks, access to a gym, and other benefits.

Yes

I have learnt so much in a short space of time at the BBC, and I've developed very quickly both professionally and personally. The culture is brilliant, I've met some wonderful people - it's a very nice place to work. It has equipped me to get my career off to a very strong start

- Research and understand the BBC's values. Also, look into how the BBC is funded, what the organisation succeeds at, and the challenges the organisation faces etc. Gaining this context will equip you to do well in your application and interview as you'll have a better understanding of what your interviewee is looking for in an apprenticeship candidate