BBC Scotland Apprentices embark on the next stage of their careers

Back in April Sharon Mair wrote about the launch of the BBC Scotland’s Commonwealth Games apprenticeship scheme - the successful applicants appear at the bottom of this post.

As the second class of apprenticeships moves on to pastures new, we’ve asked the bright young things to write about how they got on and tell us what they've got planned next.

Ben McCormack

“From the outside the BBC appeared to me as a massive machine, like a media behemoth, The Big British Castle, complete with unscalable walls, churning out hour after hour of content for the masses. It was a potent mix of both excitement and terror when I got the call telling me they were lowering the drawbridge and I was getting a chance to find out just how this world worked.

“Within my first few days the fear that I would get sacked for dropping a pen dissolved along with all of my preconceptions, the BBC is in fact a wonderful place to work. As an apprentice, you are in a very privileged position, people understand that you are there, not only to work, but to learn as well and because of this, supply you with an incredible variety of work, so that you can get the most from your short time in whatever department you are hanging your hat in that month. To say that every day was a pleasure would be an outright lie, the best way to find a group of apprentices is to shout the words ‘Shot Logging’ and follow the groans. That said, there are days that it’s hard to believe you are actually in work; within my first few weeks I had seen more live bands than I could count, I had received my first credit and met some incredible people who I will remain in touch with for the rest of my career, and it’s continued to blow me away ever since.

“I’ve been to Manchester, Newcastle, Inverness, Edinburgh, I’ve spent days in fields, in old churches, trawling through books in the Mitchel Library, the variety of your working week can be staggering. For me this is the real charm of the apprenticeship, it’s hard to get bored when there is so much to get involved in and when everyone wants to show you just how much fun the job can be. As my time comes to an end I’m looking forward to removing my stabilisers and pedalling off into whatever comes, but I will always look back at the apprenticeship, as not only a year of enormous fun, but also as the year my life really began.”

Ben is about to move onto being Content Assistant in BBC Radio Scotland’s music department where he will work on shows like BBC Introducing with Jen and Ally for BBC Radio 1 and the Vic Galloway show on Radio Scotland.

Sebastian Walls

“Being an apprentice within the BBC has been such a magical experience from the very beginning. It still feels like a dream that I have been able to start my career within the media industry the best possible way; I do feel privileged to have been offered the opportunity especially just from coming from high school.

“Right from the word go I have had such a fun time and have learned so much over the year, every day is completely different and it is always new and exciting no matter what department I am working in.

“I have been working in some amazing productions both in TV and Radio and can say I have loved every aspect of both, whether that be co-presenting on MacAulay & Co on Radio Scotland, working on the Edinburgh Festival or being involved with Children in Need. What I have experienced here at the BBC has been fantastic - there is nowhere in the world where you can work with some of the friendliest people who are always eager to help and gain unique skills which will enhance your own abilities within the industry.

“My understanding and knowledge of the industry has greatly improved while being on the apprenticeship, that awareness of how it operates is key; from gaining employment to successfully building contacts.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working within BBC Scotland as an apprentice. I have developed some essential skills and met some amazing people along this journey and cannot wait to start a career I would not have had without the BBC apprenticeship.”

Sebastian is about to start work as Repeats & Indies Delivery Assistant in Salford.

Cairi Swainson

“The day I applied for the apprenticeship will stick in my mind forever. I spotted the poster for it in between jobs while I stood signing on for the dole. The deadline was that night. Cue frantic typing and a near meltdown when technology decided not to work in my favour. A day of cancelled plans has been worth it and the payoff has been immense. The grin I have worn ever since I first walked into Pacific Quays has been permanent; the Cheshire cat has nothing on me. 

“Moving from department to department and learning on the job was terrifying, nerve wracking and, most of all, exciting – I loved it! Everything from researching bands to standing in the rain with a very large, slobbering Dogue du Bordeaux brought new learning experiences and each step of the way you were watched over and taught by the most experienced folk in the business. However, the apprenticeship teaches you more than media and production techniques, it teaches confidence, builds character and in my case helped my find a love for science which I never knew I had.

“One day, not that long ago, I was stood in the lift zooming up to the fourth floor and all of a sudden it hit me,’ I’m helping to make something that people will enjoy watching and want to talk about’. I’m not entirely sure what I thought I had been doing up to that point but, in that instant, I experienced an overwhelming sense of contentment. From day one we have been told there are no guarantees, I don’t care, for the first time in my life I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Cairi now works in BBC Scotland Children’s department where she is working as researcher for series eight of CBeebies show Nina and the Neurons.

Lisa Graham

“My year as a BBC Scotland Apprentice has cemented in my mind that working in the creative media sector is the only career for me. Before applying for the Apprenticeship Scheme, I would never have thought that out of hundreds of applicants, I would be one of the successful 10 chosen. Brand BBC is renowned globally for the fantastic programmes they produce. Being able to say that I’ve been involved in the production of many of these shows is something that I am immensely proud of.

“As an Apprentice I have been involved in a range of exciting opportunities. From working at the Commonwealth Games mascot unveiling as TV personality Sam Nixon’s runner, to working on the BBC Scotland Comedy Showcase, the breadth of experience has been tremendous. Although we have been shown and participated in the hard work that goes into pre-production and post-production, there is no greater feeling than seeing a programme that you’ve worked on being filmed live in front of your own eyes. Whether your passion lies in fast-paced news segments or large factual productions that can be filming for weeks on end, the BBC Scotland Apprenticeship Scheme has allowed me to hone in on my individual passions and really discover what style of programme I want to be involved in making in the future.

“The mentors, buddies and managers in each department have been vital in our journey throughout the BBC. Taking the time out to talk to us about what their job consists of and how to progress in our careers has been really helpful. The contacts that we have all made are invaluable and I hope that next year’s candidates enjoy their year here as much as I have.”

Lisa is studying BA/BA (Hons) Media and Communication at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Barry Shaw

“People ask me to sum up the apprenticeship in one word – this is where I struggle: ‘Amazing’, ‘incredible’, ‘unbelievable’, are all words I would probably pick. But what I didn’t expect when I signed up was to fall out with my friends and family back home because I couldn’t get them tickets to a recording of Mrs Browns Boys – oh my goodness…..they were not happy!

“It’s amazing to think that I’d sit at home and watch programmes like Hogmanay Live, Comic Relief, Children In Need and Britain’s Favourite Supermarket Foods. But to actually get the chance to work on these shows and on occasion get to be in them, was unbelievable. Now that the apprenticeship is over it is probably the perfect time to admit to trying to sneak into the background as an extra on Mrs Browns Boys during a pub scene, but the production team just weren’t having it. Worth a shot eh?

“One of the best things about the apprenticeship has to be conducting tours of Pacific Quay and the set of River City, I enjoy getting to meet the BBC audience in person. Guests get a behind-the-scenes look at how programmes are made and get the chance to have a go at reading the news and weather bulletin (that is when I eventually manage to figure out how to work the autocue, as it has a tendency to go either too fast or too slow, I still haven’t managed to figure it out).

“A real favourite is taking guests on a tour at River City, (and before you ask, no I didn’t swat up on a million episodes on iPlayer ahead of doing them - well ok, maybe just a few). It’s great to meet fans of the show and give them a chance to peek at the sets inside and out. The shop, taxi office and the pub are amongst the most popular. We also get to have a cuppa and a muffin in the famous Oyster Café, they aren’t real, but we like to pretend.

“A day during my apprenticeship that I’ll probably never forget was when my mentor asked me if I would like to produce and co-present an episode of BBC Scotland`s live nightly radio show,Get It On with Bryan Burnett, following my theme suggestion ‘Songs of Friendship’. Once they’d picked me up off the floor after I fainted at the thought of it, I got stuck in, immediately I knew the theme tune from Friends was going to be my opener.

“The day arrived - it was 6.10pm and the On Air light nearly blinded me by suddenly turning bright red, it was time to go live. Knowing that friends and family were tuning in back home didn’t seem to bother me much, but knowing that Sharon Mair and Jeff Zycinski were… well that kind of did. I’ve enjoyed working with Bryan and the team for months beforehand answering our listeners’ calls, so I knew I would be in safe hands. The show flew and before I knew it, we were handing over to Ricky Ross.

“I’m often asked what advice I would give to the next batch of recruits who are currently waiting in the wings, my advice is always the same: “Enjoy it, do everything and meet everyone. But be warned, your life will never be the same again” (in a good way of course).

“So after a fantastic year, I am down to my last few days as a BBC Scotland Apprentice, but as of next week I will begin a three-month contract with CBBC as a Department Runner. I am so lucky to have been asked to stay with the Children’s Department and this role will give me the opportunity to work across all of the CBBC and CBeebies content. My first job will be working with the production team on the new series of The Dog Ate My Homework for CBBC. As well as this, I will continue with my tours of Pacific Quay and River City and also my work on the Get It On with Bryan Burnett radio show.”

Chris O’Rourke

“Being accepted to the BBC Scotland Apprenticeship scheme was quite an experience. After receiving confirmation that my application had been successful, I phoned my family and friends to share the news with them and we laughed a lot, I did a lap of honour around my flat, I posted on Facebook that I was now colleagues with David Attenborough. It was a good day.

“I never thought in a million years that my application would be successful and when I received that call, I suspected that it may have been a hoax. But it wasn’t and within a few weeks I found myself walking to Pacific Quay on the first day at my new job. I’d spent the previous five years of my life working for minimum wage in jobs with very little in the way of career prospects or indeed any form of stimulation. With this in mind, I felt a bit like Charlie Bucket with a golden ticket in my pocket, plucked from obscurity and handed a dream job.

“Over the course of the apprenticeship, I have embarked on a journey around 10 different departments at BBC Scotland. I have been actively involved in a wide range of productions and worked with some of the most fantastic, creative people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. I can’t really articulate how great the experience has been such has been my enjoyment. One thing is for sure, it has provided me with the skills and confidence to forge a career in the media industry.

“I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank all of the other apprentices, my managers, the college staff and all of the staff members here at BBC Scotland for making my experiences so enjoyable. Without your time and effort, your understanding and your ability to inspire, my experience would not have been the same.”

Scott Currie

“The BBC Scotland Apprenticeship has been a great experience for me.

Coming here straight from school I couldn’t have asked for a better way to begin my working life. Before my first day I was expecting to come into a busy and crazy working environment, but it surprised me how calm and friendly everyone is. People were more than happy to answer any questions I had, and this support was much appreciated. As well as having people in the team I was with to talk to, I always had my buddies, mentor and managers to support me if needed. There was always someone there to speak to.

“Also, during my first week as a BBC employee I was confused by the amount of jargon used. I thought it was some sort of special media language that I would have to spend months learning. For example, I was given an audio recorded interview and asked to ‘de-um it’. After panicking, I was soon informed of the meaning of this (which is to get rid of the stutters etc. in a recorded voice piece).

“I have been involved in both important and less important roles during my time at BBC Scotland. Sometimes I was logging video footage for hours on end and at other times stuffing over 400 envelopes with flyers and sticking post-it notes together in attempts to make a ‘waterfall’ prop. I also got the chance to create podcasts, carry out interviews for Reporting Scotland and co-produce radio shows/features.

The opportunities seem endless at times and the BBC Scotland Apprenticeship scheme has given me the confidence to realise that I have the potential to make a career in the media industry.”

Scott is currently in the middle of applying for roles, and will be continuing to work on Radio Scotland phone-in shows Off the Ball and Sportsound Extra.

Nicki Macgregor

“This past year has been probably one of the best and most exciting years of my life. I’ve had the opportunity to do things that I never thought I could do, and I have gotten to experience and work on some really exciting events and programmes.

“Before the apprenticeship, I didn’t think that any of us would be trusted but the responsibilities was have been given has been amazing. The fact that we have been allowed to make a real impact on productions has been more than I could’ve asked for. I also think that the bond we have made as a group has been amazing, I feel I have made lasting friendships that will continue even after the apprenticeship ends.”

James McAlpine

“This year at the BBC has meant a whole lot, I’ve worked with so many brilliant people on so many brilliant projects and productions. Coming in to the apprenticeship I would have been completely satisfied if something that I had filmed was to make it on to the television, however not only have I filmed multiple pieces that have made it to broadcast, but I was also a single camera director for BBC ALBA at Belladrum 2013, which is not only my first television credit but also an extremely good credit to have on my CV.

“The apprenticeship has given me invaluable experience and a really good head start into the media industry and now I’m heading off to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to study Digital Film and Television for the next three years.”

Hilary Whitley

“I hoped that the apprenticeship would open a few doors but I never thought I would have had even half of the opportunities I have been given over the last year. Now, thanks to all the experienced gained from the apprenticeship, I have a contract in Music Entertainment in London and am having a great time. I really hope this is the start of a life-long career.”

As BBC Scotland waves off their second class of apprentices they welcome the next batch (pictured below). This is their first week and they will be working with BBC Scotland for the next year, getting involved in coverage of the Commonwealth Games 2014. We’ll keep you posted on how they are getting on.

Jon Jacob is Editor, About the BBC website and blog.