Production Assistant Review
at BBC
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Journalism and Publishing
St Helier
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.4 /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!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
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 have taken part in almost every aspect of radio life during the course of this apprenticeship, from assisting the daily broadcast of Daytime and Afternoon radio programs, to sourcing/organising/interviewing/uploading/editing/broadcasting guests and stories, to shadowing live local news broadcast for television.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience working with the BBC, not only in the work place but in the separate lessons they set up outside of Bauer - being able to travel to Broadcasting House in London to meet people who have worked all over the industry for years, taking in their expertise and advice - as well as experiencing the BBC as a whole company and not just in individual factions.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have improved my camera and microphone skills as well as tuned up my editing skills both of video and audio. I have learned how to spot a good story, as well as effective interview skills, working with so many different people who can show me not only the proper procedure but little tips and tricks along the way to help really gain your confidence.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
I do think the programme is well organised but could use better structure - especially when it comes to the Bauer academy lessons, some of the content seemed so rushed because the structure of the learning days were shortened. I would prefer some room to breath when we're learning brand new things off the bat - we can learn how to do things quickly with practice but we should be given time to learn properly first. Everything the BBC organised felt very well structured and definitely gave us room to learn.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Specifically my line manager was incredible at keeping tabs, we'd have frequent chats discussing my next moves and which team I should work with - as well as assigning me projects, offering support and expertise for the projects, we had proper catch ups as per the apprenticeship structure ofcourse but he was accessible consistently and was there for support and guidance but didn't micromanage and made sure I had a support buddy in every team I joined. If I could give him 11/10 I would.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
We had frequent meetings as per the structure of the program, and they were only ever a Teams message away but it did feel rather cryptic and unsupported at times, especially when asked about specific guidance and given a vague answer - we had a group chat with all the apprentices on my course with the training provider on Teams and it meant the apprentices could support each other with the help of the trainers, but Bauer confused so many of us with conflicting statements that it was a bit of a mess towards the end.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
My qualification buddied well with the work experience side of the apprenticeship as my production projects and official classes lined up nicely - especially when learning about paperwork and relevant procedure for production projects. Learning to use different programs in the qualification to my work experience was definitely beneficial because it gives me the ability to work across multiple softwares that may be used across the industry.
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
We do sometimes have networking events, but locally mostly we're such a close knit team that social events pop up when people organise them but everyone is always invited, it's genuinely such a small team you know everyone and inexplicably everyone gets along which is crazy.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BBC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I loved my apprenticeship experience so much I applied for a full time job here and I got it! I feel well supported, like I'm learning every day, you're offered opportunities locally but also nationally wherever they pop up, you're part of a larger network of people all working together even when you're in a small local team like I am. The small team we have here locally (both in Jersey and Guernsey) are all so friendly and kind, and every single person here works so hard - and yet we're encouraged to have a good work life balance - I've never felt taken advantage of for my time, taking time back is a regular practice and everyone takes a lunch break and you're not expected to eat lunch and work at the same time, and if you do then you can take that hour back! It's the least toxic environment I've ever worked in and I hope to stay here for many more years
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BBC?
The interview process is a little different here but everyone is so friendly - they just want the right person for the job - you should be yourself, do your research on the BBC values - and specifically for Jersey, reach out to [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the Higherin Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] (my line manager as an apprentice) - he is wonderful and you can do days where you shadow the teams and get a tour of the studios here and do work experience - we're constantly welcoming people round the offices
