Business Administration Apprentice Review
at BBC
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Business Operations
London
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
2.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
2.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
2.2/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
I work across multiple aspects within my role, mainly completing general administration. Day to day basis, I have meetings to shadow, minute taking, creating/ adding to power point presentations and reading through documents and drafts.
However I must add, that at the start of my apprenticeship, my cohort and myself had no role to go into or desk space. The first couple of months included being isolated from the workforce, with disorganised, un managed work to complete, the early careers team were aware of this and inactive. I was fortunate enough to be placed and remain within the 'X' Team, the manager for this team champions learning and the experience. Lastly, we were promised rotating departments and experiences, which did not happen for myself or the rest of the cohort.
However I must add, that at the start of my apprenticeship, my cohort and myself had no role to go into or desk space. The first couple of months included being isolated from the workforce, with disorganised, un managed work to complete, the early careers team were aware of this and inactive. I was fortunate enough to be placed and remain within the 'X' Team, the manager for this team champions learning and the experience. Lastly, we were promised rotating departments and experiences, which did not happen for myself or the rest of the cohort.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
1/5
Unfortunately I do not enjoy my programme. I value transparency, efficiency and organisation, this apprenticeship does not offer that. To be unsure of my placement, future permanent role and my place within the organisation for just under 2 years, is extremely unsettling to experience throughout. Though my placement was a success, I had no clear understanding of how long I would be there for, 2 months, turned into the whole apprenticeship.
I found the programme itself with the learning provider semi-enjoyable. Corndel have great people delivering the course, I just found the content too simple sometimes for the length of time we would be on the topic.
I have found it increasingly less enjoyable from the inappropriate behaviour displayed from the BBC Early Careers Team, which is not addressed or handled appropriately.
Based on my personal experience, this would especially not be enjoyable or a suitable environment for someone who is Neurodivergent.
I found the programme itself with the learning provider semi-enjoyable. Corndel have great people delivering the course, I just found the content too simple sometimes for the length of time we would be on the topic.
I have found it increasingly less enjoyable from the inappropriate behaviour displayed from the BBC Early Careers Team, which is not addressed or handled appropriately.
Based on my personal experience, this would especially not be enjoyable or a suitable environment for someone who is Neurodivergent.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
This apprenticeship has greatly increased my basic administration skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
As highlighted above, there was no organisation or structure to my programme (on the job/BBC).
The learning provider did have structure to their course.
The learning provider did have structure to their course.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
1/5
Unfortunately, the Early Careers Team at the BBC do not effectively manage or support members of staff.
From my personal experience, I have found certain staff members behaviour inappropriate, unkind, and most of all disrespectful. As a cohort we were not treated as equal members of staff.
From my personal experience, I have found certain staff members behaviour inappropriate, unkind, and most of all disrespectful. As a cohort we were not treated as equal members of staff.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My training provider was incredibly supportive, consistent and efficient in providing follow up support.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
My qualification has been valuable, and offered insight for specific tools/ platforms. I wouldn't say it helps me in performing better in my role in all aspects, but has definitely added value in efficiency for certain areas, for example: Microsoft Applications, Arranging Meetings.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
Yes.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BBC to a friend?
No
Why?
This is based solely on my experience and is not reflective of all divisions within the BBC.
Overall, throughout my experience at the BBC, I have felt incredibly uncomfortable and undermined.
The main issue with the BBC is that they encourage feedback, and portray a certain image externally, but are not representative of this. Teams/ collegues as a whole do not represent the BBC values, rather the opposite. Any issues raised results in the BBC name being weaponised against you, as if it is the ultimate privilege to be in the building.
It is very much a jargon filled environment which makes meetings and general interactions incredibly isolating and limiting. The work and projects are increasingly inefficient and purposeless.
Overall, throughout my experience at the BBC, I have felt incredibly uncomfortable and undermined.
The main issue with the BBC is that they encourage feedback, and portray a certain image externally, but are not representative of this. Teams/ collegues as a whole do not represent the BBC values, rather the opposite. Any issues raised results in the BBC name being weaponised against you, as if it is the ultimate privilege to be in the building.
It is very much a jargon filled environment which makes meetings and general interactions incredibly isolating and limiting. The work and projects are increasingly inefficient and purposeless.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BBC?
I would advise a higher level apprenticeship once you have experience elsewhere, or have earned your degree. I would discourage anyone from relying on this apprenticeship to act as their initial stepping stone into their career.
