New BBC intake process for the next generation of industry leaders

The BBC Academy is taking a new approach to finding, recruiting and developing the next generation of award-winning programme-makers and creative entrepreneurs with the introduction of the Production Talent Pool (PTP).

The PTP will replace BBC Audio & Music's Production Panel and BBC Vision's Intake Pool and become the first step on the ladder for nearly 100 ambitious, talented people who want a career in broadcast media.

Successful PTP candidates will be offered short-term paid work in runner or junior production management roles across the BBC for up to 12 months. They will then be able to apply for one of around 12 places on the BBC's prestigious 18 month-long Production Trainee Scheme.

The changes to entry-level talent recruitment and development are being made for a number of reasons, chiefly that a single point of recruitment for entry-level staff across a number of BBC sites and divisions makes both economic and practical sense.

Those who apply will have a better, simpler experience. Tracking and managing the many thousands of applications will be less demanding on the licence fee, as well as the many senior staff who give up their time and energy to help with assessment.

It all means the Academy will be better able to select the candidates most likely to become the future leaders of the BBC and the UK media industry in general.

Anne Morrison, director of the BBC Academy, said: "The production training scheme fast-tracks the creative leaders of the future. We are looking for creative, bright, entrepreneurial people who have a demonstrable passion for communicating ideas through media. 

"With media production and publishing tools as accessible as they are, we are looking for smart people who are also telling their stories across media. This might be through the written word, music, sound, games design, or film and video.”

Tim Davie, director of BBC Audio & Music, commented: "As an industry, we are totally dependent on attracting and training high-potential people with a wide variety of backgrounds and skills. I know that the PTP is an important part of achieving this."

Patrick Younge, chief creative officer, BBC Vision Productions, said:  “For the past three years, the BBC’s Vision Intake Pool has provided our production teams in England with more than 150 ready vetted staff to fill their short term runner and PMA vacancies. It has provided a clear and fair route into junior roles for new talent from a variety of backgrounds and attracted many who otherwise would not have considered joining the BBC, with 32% of the 2011 intake from an ethnic minority background.

"I’m delighted that the Academy are extending the scheme to Wales and Scotland, and by combining the scheme with Audio and Music’s production panel we will be offering new entrants to the Production Talent Pool a fantastic opportunity to become truly cross-platform in their skills and experience.”

Previous successful BBC trainees have come from a wide range of backgrounds and include Mark Thompson, Helen Boaden and Stephen Merchant. 

Production trainees embark on an intense journey, training across all media platforms. It gives them practical production skills like editing, sound recording, studio production and HD camera work. They also receive essential editorial knowledge, research skills, the ability to pitch and develop ideas, and personal development.

Seventy-seven per cent of those who started their career in the equivalent talent entry programme in 2009 are still working at the BBC, with almost 100% still working in the industry. The PTP recruits those without professional media backgrounds but with strong transferable skills.

Find out more at bbc.co.uk/ptp.