Advanced Apprenticeships in Media Production 2008/10

AFTER enduring a day of rigorous assessments and tests at the BBC, 36 Northwest young people have been selected to take part in the UK’s premier media apprenticeship programme.

The trainees attended a special reception at the BBC in Manchester to hear how they’d beaten stiff competition to clinch a prized place on the 18-month Advanced Apprenticeship in Media Production – the only one of its kind in the country.

The Apprenticeships are being offered by regional screen agency Northwest Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the region’s film, TV, radio and digital content industries.

David Longworth, Apprentices Training Manager for Vision and Media, told the 16-22-year-olds they’d soon be working with some of the biggest names in TV, including the BBC, ITV Granada, Lime Pictures, Channel M and Sumners, together with smaller companies such as Flix Facilities, Channel K and Shine North.

“Apprenticeships aren’t an easy option,” says David, “you’ll need to create a balance between a full-time working life, college life, and a social life, because they’re all important. But if you manage to juggle all three successfully, it’ll be the making of you, because the benefits of achieving an apprenticeship are great. It gives you a fantastic platform to move on with your career.”

Speaking on behalf of the BBC, Development Executive, Margaret McClelland, told the group: “We know you’ve already had to work very hard to prove you deserve to be here, so we know you’ve got talent and promise, but over the coming months we’ll be working you very hard indeed to bring the very best out of you.

“You could say this is your own Olympics, your opportunity to show what you can do. And who knows, if you take advantage of all the opportunities you’ll be offered, you could be working here at the BBC by the time the next Olympics come round. It all depends on you.”

The Advanced Apprenticeship in Media Production is open to 16-22-year-olds, living in the Northwest, and is designed specifically for people who wouldn’t usually get the chance to break into broadcasting.

“This scheme represents the growing belief in the media industry that talent isn’t about where you live or skin colour, educational achievements, gender or background,” explains David, who together with the BBC, Skillset and the Learning and Skills Council, helped devise the apprenticeships, and continues to mentor the first Apprentices, who will complete their 18-month scheme in April 2009.

The second 18-month programme will begin in September 2008. By Christmas, 20 of the 36 trainees will be offered the chance to take the full apprenticeship, which will run until March 2010.

“The apprenticeship will develop skills and abilities in various production roles, as well as allowing the trainees to learn about all areas of the media industry,” explains David. “Apprentices will also develop invaluable contacts and a wealth of practical experience across a range of different broadcasting companies.”

At the end of the scheme, it’s hoped the apprentices will be the next generation of industry talent. “There are no guarantees, but once the scheme ends the trainees will have acquired all the skills and experience they need to secure work in their chosen part of the media industry,” says David.