Early Careers Production Apprentice Review
at BBC
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Journalism and Publishing, Television/Film/Media
Lincoln
Review Submitted: March 2026
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 am a production apprentice at the BBC. This involves both learning on the job whilst on placement at my BBC base, and also gaining a qualification from attending workshops and training courses with my learning provider. On a day-to-day basis, I work closely with the mid-morning show production team, carrying out tasks like calling and scheduling guests for the show, searching for stories, editing audio for the show with a quick turnaround, working in ops producing the show live as it goes out etc.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I really enjoy my apprenticeship role, as someone who prefers learning practically rather than in a classroom environment, this is a perfect way for me to get a qualification whilst gaining industry experience in a highly reputable company, and also gives me the opportunity to network and make vital contacts for the future of my career. I think it's a really great scheme and is well suited for me, I'm very proud to be in my job.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt so many new skills since the start of my apprenticeship. Before coming into this role, my knowledge and understanding of production, and radio specifically, was very limited. Since starting my job, I have learnt how to produce and present a radio show from scratch, I've gained confidence to interview guests myself, I've developed a wide skillset of both audio and video editing, along with gaining an educational knowledge behind what works and what doesn't
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
I feel like my programme is well structure, working mostly at my BBC base, but having our training schedule in blocks. I like the way this works, especially as we have to travel for training. The only thing I feel like I could fault is the length of the scheme being only 13 months, however in previous years it was an 18 month scheme, so they have clearly made the decision to shorten it for a reason. Being the first year of apprentices with a shortened scheme, I'd like to hope that this new schedule works well and was a good change
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I am fortunate to work with a very supportive team. I am very passionate and interested in exploring different areas of the BBC, and my line manager couldn't be more accommodating to help me achieve this and gain the experience I need in different sectors
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My training provider schedules in weekly check ins that are optional for us to attend. This is quite helpful for ensuring we are supported and can ask any questions we need to approaching our EPA period in the coming months. We also have quarterly progress reviews, where my line manager and trainer sit down with me to discuss my progress in my apprenticeship, what's going well, where I can improve etc. This constructive feedback is helpful for me to get the most out of my role
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I think that my qualification and the skills I learn when working with my training provider just helps broaden my knowledge and skillset. I have gained valuable audio skills during the workshops with my trainer, and I have then gone to put these skills in to practice in my everyday role. For example: development of audio editing skills, gaining confidence in this helps me turn work around faster to hit deadlines and gather content to go on air.
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
The BBC hold loads and loads of extra-curricular activities, however being based in local radio and not nearby to a big BBC base, we don't have the funding or access for any of these activities here.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BBC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
For me it has been an amazing way to get my foot in the door for working in the media industry, which we all know is a super competitive industry anyway. Especially being an apprentice, I've been given so many opportunities that I never would have dreamed of, and I think the flexibility I have to explore other job roles and shadow different teams is amazing.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BBC?
Be yourself. I remember applying for my role in a joint interview with some other applicants, and everyone was sharing their experience in the industry. I remember sitting there feeling disheartened and thinking "there is no way I'm going to get this" because everyone else had so much more experience than me. In reality, I was the one who got the job, on my first time applying, because they were just looking for authentic people who are willing to learn and have a genuine passion for the industry.
