When does it start?
How long is the trainee scheme?
How will I know how I am doing?
What will I be doing?
What hours will I work?
How much holiday will I get?
How much will I be paid?
Will my expenses be met?
Where will I be based?
Can I choose which areas I want to be based in?
I’m already working in broadcasting. Can I apply?
I'm already training to be a journalist. Can I apply?
I don't have any lengthy journalism experience or training. Should I still apply?
Is there an age limit for trainees?
I live abroad - can I apply?
What support will I get while I am on the scheme?
Will I get a job at the end of the scheme?
When does it start?
We'll want you to be able to start on Monday, March 1, 2010 and be available for an induction day in mid-January.
How long is the trainee scheme?
It's a year-long scheme ending in February 2011.
How will I know how I am doing?
There will be a structured evaluation process for the length of the scheme – you will be given feedback on your performance and you will be asked to give your own feedback too.
What will I be doing?
Have a look at the job description to give you a bit more information about what is likely to be involved.
Working in journalism is not a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday job. The hours can be long when you are working to tight deadlines, but they can also be very rewarding.
How much holiday will I get?
You will be entitled to five weeks holiday each year plus UK bank holidays (or time in lieu if you are scheduled to work) and an extra day at Christmas specified by the BBC.
How much will I be paid?
The salary for the year will be £18,903 and £22,982 if you are based in London. This will reflect the shift working that you might be asked to do.
At the beginning of your traineeship you will be spending three weeks in London and Newcastle training with the BBC's College of Journalism. You will be paid for your accommodation, meals and travel expenses.
After that, we won't expect to reimburse you for any expenses involved in getting to and from your BBC base. If you are sent out on assignments during your year-long training period you will be reimbursed for any legitimate expenses in line with the expenses policy of that particular office. You would also be reimbursed for attending any further training away from base which we may decide to send you on.
Where will I be based?
Initially, twelve of the trainees will be based in BBC regional news and in what we call the English Regions. This will be at one of our twelve centres ranging from Plymouth to Newcastle. The other three will be based in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.
The successful applicant for the Gareth Butler politics placement will be based at our Millbank offices near the Houses of Parliament.
No. We expect our trainees to work in different areas. That way, you will gain the widest amount of experience and will have a greater chance of securing a contract at the end of the scheme.
I’m already working in broadcasting. Can I apply?
If you are already working as a broadcast journalist in TV, radio and online then this scheme is not aimed at you.
I'm already training to be a journalist. Can I apply?
If by that you mean that you are currently studying, or have recently studied, broadcast journalism at under-graduate or post graduate level then we are sorry but this scheme is not aimed at you. You will already have learnt or be learning some of the skills that we want to teach you. The scheme is designed for people who don't necessarily have journalistic qualifications but who have some work experience. Have a look at the Journalism Talent Pool and the BBC Jobs website where there may be more appropriate opportunities in the future. www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/jtp and www.bbc.co.uk/jobs
I don't have any lengthy journalism experience or training. Should I still apply?
Yes! One of our aims is to find talented and creative people who might have been put off the idea of a career as a broadcast journalist because of the training costs involved. By the way, we are very keen to hear from people who have perhaps had a long-term ambition to work in broadcast news but who - for whatever reason - have been pursuing a different career.
Is there an age limit for trainees?
No
I live abroad - can I apply?
You can apply as long as you have a permit to live and work in the UK at the time of your application.
What support will I get while I am on the scheme?
We want to do all we can to help you to succeed.
To help you find your feet in the first month, we'll put you through our version of the Foundation Scheme run by the BBC College of Journalism. This will allow us to take a close look at your training needs and help you to develop your skills and know-how. We will also give you the relevant technical training to start your placements.
You will go on a BBC-wide induction programme where you will be with other new joiners. People who've been through similar programmes have said they found it an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
You'll be assigned a mentor, someone to support and guide you throughout the year. He or she will be in touch with you regularly to see how you're getting on and to offer advice and encouragement.
We will also give you coaching in how to apply for jobs within the BBC once your traineeship has come to an end.
Will I get a job at the end of the scheme?
You will be able to compete for jobs at the end of the scheme. The nature of the broadcast industry nowadays is that people often work on three, six or 12-month contracts, so it is likely you will be competing for one of those.
The BBC is creating a new digital broadcast centre in the North of England as part of the MediaCityUK development at Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. Five London-based departments, including Sport, Five Live and Children’s, will be moving and will join current Manchester-based departments at the new site in 2011. This move will create a range of opportunities for those that wish to pursue a career at the BBC.
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