Production Apprentice Review

I have spent the majority of my apprenticeship working at Radio Cornwall but I have tried out a huge variety of roles there. I have been trained up as a Broadcast Assistant, learned key aspects of being a journalist and producer as well as helping out with social media too. A usual day can involve setting up guests for a programme, working on the programme (editing, using the systems, taking callers), recording interviews, planning packages/pieces, amongst many other things.

From a technology standpoint I have learned so much about the BBC systems, developed my editing abilities and begun to learn how to use the equipment for a broadcast. I have improved my communication skills significantly too, developing my tone for interviews, energetic round ups, journalistic packages, alongside interpersonal abilities within a variety of team dynamics.

It is a really good balance of on the job experience and training weeks where I can socialise with fellow apprentices at other stations and positions. I have the variety of being able to work at a lot of Outside Broadcasts too, which are intense but very enjoyable. The staff are so friendly too and that makes it even more exciting.

I think that considering the amount of apprentices that are looked after by only a few staff members, it is organised and structured quite well. However, more staffing or less duties for the staff currently running the programme would make it run smoother and quicker so that apprentices are left in the dark for less time. Even with a few issues, it is not structured badly at all and the staff supporting us are very helpful and dedicated.

I would appreciate an official check in/evaluation meeting with either my line manager or scheme manager every few months but all the staff involved in my scheme are very supportive and always willing to answer all questions that I have. It would also be nice to have more direct communication with senior leaders at the BBC once in a while.

The training provider has put on a lot of training weeks already which have given me lots of valuable information. My assessor from the provider also offers helpful feedback for each assessed piece of work I do. However, the training provider is often over-optimistic with the time they believe each piece of work will take and I have to do a lot more in my own time than they expect. The training sessions do sometimes feel a bit disorganised and our only in-person training session so far was taught quite poorly. We were expected to know a lot more than we had been taught.

I have learnt a few things which I have then been able to apply to my work on the job; however, because my role is radio focused and the training is media based I don't learn too many skills that improve my performance in my current role. This is not the fault of either my station or the training provider as I like getting a range of skills that I know I will use later in life. The training provider's course could be structured slightly better so that we learn essential skills for our radio roles first, then information about other areas of the media industry later.

Through socialising with staff I have joined a sports team but this is not specifically for the station itself. There are not any other extra-curricular activities that I have seen advertised through the job- I do not feel like I desire many of these though. A few more networking events would be helpful though.

Yes

The scheme provides essential skills for getting into the media industry, alongside beneficial advice and contacts. Pretty much all of the staff I have worked with are helpful, very friendly and want you to succeed. The way you become friends with other apprentices in your group is really nice too.

The BBC hires for potential as well as ability. If you demonstrate that you have an interest in a specific area, a drive to improve and desire to try new things, the BBC are much more likely to accept you onto the scheme than simply listing achievements. Put as much energy into your application as you can.