Nick Sheridan

The BBC will be launching its apprenticeship at Trinity Arts Centre in Easton on Friday, 3 December. The Apprenticeship, which has been developed by Skillset, is an innovative new pathway into the Creative Media Industries. Apprentices will earn a college qualification while gaining invaluable professional work experience and earning an apprenticeship wage. At the end of the Apprenticeship, apprentices will have developed industry-relevant skills and formed strong networks within the south west’s dynamic Creative Media sector.

Apprentices will be based at BBC Bristol, home of the Natural History Unit and popular BBC 1 programmes such as Antiques Roadshow and Bargain Hunt. The 18 month Apprenticeships will start in spring or early summer 2011. Successful applicants will work within BBC Bristol's Factual, Natural History and Digital Village departments. Applications are welcome from those aged 18 and over.

Andy Corp, BBC Bristol Innovation Executive said "Through the Anchor Partnership the BBC is working with Bristol to cement its position as a centre of excellence for factual programme making - we see the apprenticeships as a key part of that, finding and developing people from across the region's communities who will be the documentary makers and story tellers of the future."

Skillset’s chief executive, Dinah Caine, said: “This Apprenticeship programme has been designed to address the existing skills needs in our industry by allowing employers to become involved in shaping the development of their future employees at an early stage. We are extremely pleased to have BBC Bristol on board for this project and we hope that with their input the Advanced Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media becomes a trusted pathway into the industry.”

Friday’s launch in east Bristol is part of the BBC screening event 'High Street History - Turn back Time'. A community event, the screening celebrates the positive stories of Stapleton Road and the residents who live there. The three short films were made in workshops at Kensington Baptist Church in a partnership with BBC Radio Bristol, BBC Outreach and BBC Video Nation. The screening is 18.30-19.30 with free refreshments.

The apprenticeship scheme is one of a number of paid work placements and work experience schemes that BBC Bristol offers. The very successful Face2Face scheme offers aspiring programme makers the chance to get professional BBC training at a three day conference and then after two months of weekly workshops apply for a three month casual contract. Participants are put forward by partner media organisations and one of last year's applicants now has a contract as a runner on Bargain Hunt. In January the BBC are also taking four young people as part of the region's TV Futures placement scheme, who will be working at the BBC in Bristol for 12 weeks.

Skillset is calling for apprentices and other prospective employers to take advantage of this opportunity to be involved in the development of the next generation of media professionals. So far Plymouth-based media company Twofour and the BBC have committed to taking on apprentices as part of the pilot programme.

People wanting to find out more about joining the Apprenticeship programme, either as an apprentice or as an employer, please visit http://www.skillset.org/SWApprenticeship. Those interested in applying directly to the BBC should email bristol.outreach@bbc.co.uk.

About the author and Skillset Nick Sheridan is press and PR officer at Skillset. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Creative Media, with responsibility for 60 per cent of the UK Creative Industries. This comprises TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging, publishing, advertising and fashion and textiles. SSCs are licensed by the UK Government and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenges by sector. They are independent, UK-wide organisations, are employer-led, and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the industry.