Level 3 Production Apprentice Review
at BBC
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Television/Film/Media
Swindon, Wiltshire
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.6 /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
4.4/5
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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:
5/5
I was a production apprentice, working mainly on BBC Introducing in the West and BBC Introducing in the South West. I was based at BBC Radio Wiltshire and also took on roles as a Journalist Coordinator across the station.
My day-to-day with BBC Introducing involved: listening through the Uploader for tracks, choosing our playlists, producing promotional graphics and artists, arranging interviews and features, overseeing Metadata, overseeing track compliance both of the song content and its sound. I also would produce an interview or 2 each week where I spoke to artists, got the Schedule ready, and produced weekly links/features for the show.
My day-to-day with BBC Introducing involved: listening through the Uploader for tracks, choosing our playlists, producing promotional graphics and artists, arranging interviews and features, overseeing Metadata, overseeing track compliance both of the song content and its sound. I also would produce an interview or 2 each week where I spoke to artists, got the Schedule ready, and produced weekly links/features for the show.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I absolutely loved it! Learned loads about the industry, working with incredible people and was inspired to continue my career in Radio.
I got to present my own show twice, co-presented a few times, worked on Children In Need, at Boardmasters Festival, and loads more.
I thought the training was brilliant and I've made lifelong friends in my fellow apprentices.
I got to present my own show twice, co-presented a few times, worked on Children In Need, at Boardmasters Festival, and loads more.
I thought the training was brilliant and I've made lifelong friends in my fellow apprentices.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes! I learnt a lot of technical skills about audio and video production. While I had some skills in radio from my time at university in student radio, it was brilliant to learn the particular systems and workflows of the BBC.
I learned how to operate camera equipment, use Adobe Premier Pro, and record and produce podcasts.
I learned how to drive the radio desk, edit audio to a high standard, and generally what goes in to a very wide range of radio programmes both in and outside of the BBC.
I learned how to operate camera equipment, use Adobe Premier Pro, and record and produce podcasts.
I learned how to drive the radio desk, edit audio to a high standard, and generally what goes in to a very wide range of radio programmes both in and outside of the BBC.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
Very well structured. I was lucky to benefit from the scheme being 18-months. It now has been lessened to 13 months, which I think is a shame as I really developed a lot of networking skills, contacts, and opportunities in the final 6 months of my apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
A lot! Always someone to chat to, whether on emails or a Teams call. Very rare to not get a speedy reply and also incredibly generous with funding trips to other parts of the BBC to shadow and grow my experience.
The Apprenticeships team, BBC Introducing management, and BBC Wiltshire were all 10/10.
The Apprenticeships team, BBC Introducing management, and BBC Wiltshire were all 10/10.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
My training provider (Bauer) felt very separate to the BBC training.
However, the support they provided in terms of answering questions and holding 1-on-1 meetings was really strong. Again, there was always someone to answer questions.
However, the support they provided in terms of answering questions and holding 1-on-1 meetings was really strong. Again, there was always someone to answer questions.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I learnt a lot of skills, wouldn't necessarily say they can always be directly applied to the everyday role. But the knowledge does help! The BBC Academy training was always really useful for on-the-job training.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
I think so in larger bases like London/Salford/Birmingham etc, but not at my base. We had a social a few times a year but no regular sports teams or anything like that.
As apprentices, we were given a lot of opportunities for networking events and the training weeks away are very sociable.
As apprentices, we were given a lot of opportunities for networking events and the training weeks away are very sociable.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BBC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
A brilliant creative opportunity that provides the coolest experiences. The people you work with are the best of the best in this industry, and from the start I was treated as a clear-cut staff member and not an apprentice. It's open to anyone, whether you have skills already in the industry or not, and does not discriminate against disability, ethnicity or background. There's a real mix of people who take their work seriously but provide a fun, supportive and incredibly inspiring atmosphere.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BBC?
Show your passion for the department you're applying for. Do you rresearch. Watch and listen to LOADS across the BBC and don't be shy to say what you did or didn't like.
Be yourself, be confident, ask lots of questions, and get to know the BBC values.
Be yourself, be confident, ask lots of questions, and get to know the BBC values.
