BBC Northern Ireland Trainee Scheme

About the Programme

Trainees will be offered an outstanding programme of training, incorporating a blend of formal and on the job approaches, with the opportunity to get an overview of broadcasting during the first three months and then the opportunity to specialise more during the rest of the programme.

Depending on the individuals specific skills/aptitude and management assessment, some trainees will be eligible to apply for jobs internally from as early as three months into the scheme. This will enable exceptional trainees, or trainees who are clearly specialists, to be fast tracked into their preferred career pathway.

Outline for the Scheme

1. Trainees are together for their initial induction and training (4 – 5 weeks)
   
   This initial training will include:
   
   • Upfront – the BBC-wide corporate induction
     

   • An introduction to News, Production, New Media and Craft Skills

   • Story-telling on different platforms – theory and practical craft
     
   • The BBC's editorial values and legal obligations
     
   • Health and Safety
     
2. There will be a short series of work experience placements (1 – 2 weeks) in News, Production, Craft areas and New Media. This will provide an opportunity for familiarisation with the four main streams that contribute to the output
   
3. After three months, there will be a management review and assessment of each trainee's aptitudes, skills and abilities against BBC NI output needs and a bespoke trainee learning pathway will be identified for each trainee (e.g. their primary placement could be News with a technical skills training module running in parallel, tailored to their individual needs). This review will be conducted in consultation with managers from the key stakeholder areas
   
4. Trainees could then spend the next three months on tailored placements chosen from News, Production, Craft and New Media. Each of these placements would be underpinned by a relevant training module as well as practical on the job training
   
5. At the end of year one there would be a management review of each trainee and a decision taken as to which area/areas they would spend the second year of their placement
   
6. You will report to a Production Manager in each area of your programme.
   
7. You will complete a learning log as you go through the programme which will help you track your performance against agreed objectives for different parts of the programme, help you reflect on your experiences and projects and what you have learnt. This will also allow you to show what steps you have taken to address any concerns raised at assessment or performance appraisal.


At the end of the Scheme, every effort will be made to assist trainees in their applications for any appropriate temporary or permanent vacancies at BBC Northern Ireland.

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