Newcastle College is celebrating after winning a bid to become the learning provider for the BBC’s innovative broadcast and communications apprenticeships.
The apprenticeship, aimed at individuals aged 18 and over has been designed to address a widely acknowledged skills gap in broadcast multi-skilled operations and communications engineering. Through the programme at Newcastle College, the BBC intend to upskill their workforce and replenish the talent pool in the UK for the benefit of the broadcast industry.
Through the carefully crafted apprenticeship, the BBC plan to train up to 16 employees each year towards a Level 3 Advanced Certificate Award in Digital Technologies. Over a 22 month period, apprentices will be based at various BBC offices across England, spending periods away from the business on block-release study at Newcastle College.
Newcastle College secured the bid to support the BBC’s quest to develop their future generations of broadcast operators in September this year, with the first group of 16 apprentices beginning their studies at the College in the last few weeks.
Andrew Nicholson, Head of Digital Technologies at Newcastle College said: “We have built up an excellent reputation nationwide for the high standards of our apprenticeship training and we are really pleased to be working alongside the BBC for their staff development.
“The flexible nature of our apprenticeship programmes allows us to tailor training and development to suit the needs of an organisation. We are working closely with the programme manager and co-ordinator at the BBC Academy to develop excellent theoretical and practical apprentices who have an understanding of broadcast operational and technical systems and equipment that will suit the fast-moving broadcasting industry.”
Huw Davies, Engineering Programme Manager at the BBC said “The BBC is delighted to be working with Newcastle College on this innovative creative and technical apprenticeship; designed by the industry to tackle the skills shortage of new talent that require a blend of knowledge and understanding in digital technologies and creative craft skills such as TV/Radio studio operation, editing and technical planning.
“Newcastle College have a wealth of experience working with both local and national employers. Their Newcastle based campus is well catered for our needs and their remote learning solutions were ahead of other colleges we assessed.”
By the end of the programme the BBC apprentices will have the fundamental knowledge, understanding and skills to secure future employment, working and contributing to varying roles across broadcast operations.
For more information about apprenticeships or the range of courses available at Newcastle College, visit www.newcastlecollege.co.uk or contact 0191 200 4000.