BBC to help disadvantaged students break into media

The BBC has launched two new programmes to help disadvantaged students into its media apprenticeship schemes.

To tie in with National Apprenticeship Week, which kicks off today, the BBC will offer 50 school students from socially diverse backgrounds a programme to aid with applications for its apprenticeships.

The students will work in broadcast operations, production and digital journalism.

Working alongside social mobility charity The Sutton Trust, the first programme will take place part-time over 18 months. Trainees will then have the chance to apply for the various apprenticeships, with a view to commencing in September 2020.

A second programme based in Cardiff will offer 10 full-time paid traineeships, with the ambition for trainees to then apply for BBC Wales’ journalism apprenticeships.

Trainees will receive intensive BBC journalism training as well as learning employability techniques.

BBC director of leadership and new talent Claire Paul said that the schemes are intended for young people who have raw talent to succeed but lack the confidence to apply for highly competitive apprenticeships.

“We’ll be offering them training in a wide range of employability skills such as interview techniques and coaching to give them an equal shot at success,” added Paul.

Director general Tony Hall said: “Social mobility matters, and that’s why I’ve made apprenticeships a priority at the BBC – opening the door to people from many different backgrounds.”

The news comes a week after BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern attacked the BBC for class prejudice and claimed she would be earning “a hell of a lot more money” if she spoke with a less regional accent.

This year, there are more than 200 BBC apprentices and around 150 BBC graduate trainees across the UK.