Participants of the BBC Local Apprentice Scheme talk about their experiences working for the BBC in a film made by apprentice Jack Suddaby.
Below, Jack writes about his experiences on the apprenticeship scheme and shares his advice for those considering applying.
I wanted to become part of the BBC to develop my radio career. I knew it was the type of place that once I had my foot in the door many more opportunities would present themselves, and they certainly have.
I'd got some production experience before I joined the apprenticeship. I worked on a breakfast show for a commercial radio station, made films for Kiss FM in London, and in my spare time, produced videos for festivals and business.
Since joining BBC Radio Oxford I’ve had the chance to work across a huge range of shows and events. A few personal highlights include presenting on stage at a festival and doing live reports and interviews on site with various difference artists. I even had the chance to film a video for BBC Music Day which made it onto BBC South Today (which was was pretty cool). It was an amazing experience to meet the 45 other apprentices across the country who all have the same passion and interests yet are totally different. I’ve made some life-long friends who will hopefully one day be future colleagues.
I've learnt a lot on the apprenticeship. For example, operating the desks and working the system as a Broadcast Assistant for the first time on the breakfast show was a huge challenge. Collating contacts and writing creative cues for story ideas was something that didn't come naturally to me either. Shorthand was another hurdle to overcome, before this apprenticeship I didn’t know what shorthand was and now it feels like I live and breathe it. It’s a great skill to have, but my goodness, it’s a battle to learn.
If you’re thinking about an apprenticeship and one comes up that sounds like your cup of tea, then I'd say go for it! I feel encredibly lucky having access to this fantastic opportunity.
Not only am I doing what I love five days a week but I’m getting weeks and weeks of BBC training, and I’m even getting paid for it. If you do manage to get an apprenticeship with the BBC or any other media organisation, the best advice I can give is to always be yourself and don’t change because you feel like you have to ‘fit in’. Be individual and you’ll shine.
Jack Suddaby is an Apprentice Broadcast Assistant at the BBC.
