Early Careers Apprentice Review
at BBC
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Digital Marketing
Salford
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
3.6/5
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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
Researching relevant audience topics to cover on websites. Research, cutting, editing and publishing show clips onto YouTube and Social. Assisting on the filming of bespoke Social&YT videos on location and in studios. Assisting on the planning of these shoots. Brainstorming content ideas and working on content plans. Looking at data and stats to inform content plans.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I hugely enjoyed the programme. I got on with almost everyone I met in the huge company and really found my place in my department. I loved the work I did and was able to be passionate about the content I was creating and say I was proud to work where I did.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I have been able to hugely grow my digital editing skills through being able to work in a dynamic digital team. I am now one of the most skilled editors in the department. I have also hugely developed general production and digital skills to allow me to work in this area. I have tried to develop my shooting skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
In my case, our official line manager was someone who works in upper management for the entire department. We would then be placed in a team within this department and given an 'effective line manager' from this team. Whilst towards the end of the apprenticeship I was put in teams who valued me, could develop me and also tried to help me gain further opportunities, at the start neither my team nor my 'effective line manager' were in a position to support me and I did not gain anything valuable from the first 3 months of the apprenticeship. So this system is somewhat flawed, but the system allowing us to experience multiple teams during the apprenticeship rather then just one is key. There is a slight problem with apprentices being put where they are needed rather then where is best for them, which prevents apprentices from possibly getting the best placement they could within the department.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
If issues are raised they will be sorted. Any equipment and support you need can be provided, any time off for A/L, sickness or training you need will be provided. And the trainings provided are very thorough and helpful. The support is there.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
As the first year of the BBC production apprenticeship to use Bauer Academy as the training provider my year were almost the trail. So it seemed like they were learning how it would work a long with us which did cause a handful of issues in regards to things such as timings that have since been fixed with the following years of apprentices.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
It gave me clear concise teachings that I could refer to, when I was being learning these within the job. As the people guiding me through a process in work are not teachers, but just workers, the combination of their work knowledge, and the clear learnings from the qualification came together to positively impact my learnings.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There are so many clubs. There are regional clubs, department clubs, young talent network clubs, apprentice community clubs. There are often professional networking events hosted by the BBC Base and departments throughout the year, as well as team and department away days and drinks.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BBC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It is an in-valuable experience if you are looking to get into media. And whilst there is no system on the level 3 production apprenticeship to get a job at the end of your time. If you prove yourself and the suitable job role is there, you should have gained all the skills, experiences and confidence you need to get this job.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BBC?
Be yourself. Be sociable, be eager and ask questions, make an impact. Be helpful and intuitive,
