Journalism Advanced Apprentice Review
at BBC
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Journalism and Publishing
Cardiff / Caerdydd
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
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Overview of Role
2/5
-
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:
2/5
The role can be very varied depending on what team you are posted to. On some, you may be focused entirely on supporting the output of daily programmes on TV or on the radio. On others, you might be working on slightly longer form projects.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
There were a lot of issues with the management of the programme that made it hard to enjoy. Reaching the goal of passing the apprenticeship was no easy feat due to discrepancies between what was required to pass the course and what you did day-to-day on the job. e.g. you had to complete 12 stories for a portfolio, something that some people had no trouble doing while others were on teams where they were given very little opportunity to pursue their own stories.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
2/5
I learnt a lot of new journalism skills and developed many communications skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
The organisation was very bad. It varied hugely from location to location and senior managers often had no idea about the details of the apprenticeship suggesting a real lack of communication between scheme managers and those apprentices worked under during the course.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
1/5
The support at the crucial level was amazing. Most line managers were incredibly supportive and truly helped apprentices to reach the goals required to pass the course. I could not say the same about the employer - it was hard not to feel like a number with scheme managers having little to no idea where you were based for months on end and not listening to feedback/commonly being unreachable.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I couldn't fault the training provider, who tried their best to help us meet the goals of the apprenticeship and had to work extra hard due to the failings of the employer to address certain issues.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Yes!
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
2/5
No.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BBC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
But I would suggest they consider their capacity to work full time while completing a qualification that will be quite difficult to complete.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BBC?
Be yourself on the application !:)
