The BBC – home to hit TV show The Apprentice – is opening up even more opportunities for people to get their dream job in the media.
Two hundred new apprentices started with the BBC in January in a variety of production, journalism, technology and business support roles. They will each get training and on the job experience.
The BBC is also launching an apprentice hub in Birmingham that will place apprentices with employers in the local creative sector.
The BBC will part fund the apprenticeships while Google, in an innovative partnership, will fund all training costs for apprentices placed in local organisations through the Apprentice Levy Transfer Donation scheme.
It’s all part of the BBC’s effort to double its commitment to apprenticeships and have 1,000 apprentices by 2026. Lord Alan Sugar, the star of BBC One’s The Apprentice, is backing the BBC’s apprentice push.
Lord Sugar said: “These are great opportunities for people to get world-class training and progress their careers. And the good news is you don’t have to face me in the boardroom but you do have to be ambitious and want a career in the creative industries.
“The BBC’s Apprentice Hub in Birmingham will develop the kind of skills that are much needed in the creative sector in the city and the wider region. I’d urge employers to get involved.”
The BBC’s Apprentice Hub in Birmingham will grow skills in the economy by placing up to 50 apprentices with local small and medium sized employers in the creative sector. The apprentices will get work experience and training from leading learning providers.
Director-General of the BBC Tim Davie said: ”The creative sector is growing. That’s great news for the West Midlands where there are real opportunities. I’m pleased to welcome into the BBC the 200 new apprentices and I’m thrilled we’re going to be working with employers across the Midlands. It’s an exciting time.”
The BBC is working with Create Central, the West Midlands’ creative development agency, to find employers to take on apprentices. Ed Shedd, chair of Create Central, said: “As one of the youngest, most diverse regions in Europe, the West Midlands is full of talented people with stories to tell and a desire to explore all forms of content creation to tell them.
“At Create Central, we are determined to make sure they get that opportunity. The BBC Apprentice Hub is a great step forward in addressing industry's needs. We are delighted to be working with the BBC to ensure that local creative businesses in the West Midlands understand the benefits and step up to take part.”
Ronan Harris, MD, Google UK & Ireland said: “Apprenticeships are a brilliant way to learn new skills to grow your career. Through this partnership with the BBC Apprentice Hub we hope to help people across the West Midlands get access to quality training and jobs in the creative sector, and support local SMEs to find diverse new talent and grow.”
The BBC is to double its commitment to apprenticeships as part of its Across the UK plan announced in March 2021. A thousand apprentices will be recruited by 2026 and 80% will be based outside London. The Across the UK plan is the biggest transformation of the BBC in decades; moving power, production and investment out of London. It will ensure the BBC better serves and reflects communities throughout the country.
