Production assistant Review
at BBC
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Research
Bristol
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
5 /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!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
I am a production assistant on the digital team at BBC's Natural History Unit. I carry out research tasks day-to-day, involving fact-checking scripts, finding and researching new scientific stories, identifying and contacting contributors and pitching ideas to producers.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoy my programme immensely as no two days are the same. There is a constant change in content, I meet new contributors all the time and get to speak to people all around the world. My team is very collaborative which I enjoy and supportive of my ideas.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes. I have learnt how to use editing software such as Adobe Auditon, Avid, Premiere Pro. Additionally, I have learnt how to pitch to producers, create research documents, call sheets and source archive footage to be used in a program.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The training comes in one week blocks every few months. This is helpful to not interrupt my job placement too regulalry but gives me large enough chunks of time to really focus on the content of my classes.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I have bi-weekly meetings with my line manager where we discuss my goals and more generally just how I am finding the job and my training. Additionally, I was assigned two 'mentors' immediately upon starting. These two coworkers make a conscious effort to teach me new skills and bring me into their projects. Additionally, my employer quickly connected me to other apprentices in the office with lunches and coffee mornings to ensure I had a supportive network of peers as well as good awareness of safeguarding contacts at the company.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My training provider checks in with me in one-to-one progress reviews every 2 months to ensure I am on track, and to answer any of my queries. They also offer Q&A sessions regularly, with a focus on our assessments.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
It offers me a greater awareness of softwares and practices outwith my company which allows me to see how the same task could be done in a variety of ways. This increases my adaptibility and problem solving skills at work. Additionally, the training allows me to reflect on what I have learnt in my job role, see how I could improve and offers me the tools, support and resources to do this.
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
I attend Young Talent Network Events that are run regularly at my office - they have ran yoga sessions, coffee mornings and wellness sessions. Additionally I have attended art sessions at the office.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BBC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It is a supportive environment that makes a big effort to show that apprentices are cherished and valued.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BBC?
Come to every round or day of work with passion and enthusiasm - as you can learn every other skill but you can't learn to be excited about the content you're making!
