Northwest Vision and Media, create the bigger picture
Hundreds Apply for First TV Apprenticeships
NEARLY 300 Northwest young people have applied for one of 20 TV apprenticeships – the first of their kind to be offered anywhere in the UK.
Designed specifically for people who wouldn’t usually get the chance to work in TV, the apprenticeships are being hailed as a unique opportunity to break into the business and work behind the scenes of the broadcasting industry.
This week, the enormous task of interviewing and short listing candidates began. Over 70 young people attended assessment days at BBC Manchester, where they were asked to complete a range of production and TV-related exercises.
Some of the biggest names in TV have joined forces to offer the 16-22-year-olds the chance to take their first steps on the career ladder. The BBC, ITV Granada, Lime Pictures and the Red Production Company are backing the ground-breaking Advanced Apprenticeship in Media Production, which has been devised by Northwest Vision and Media, Skillset, BECTU and the Learning and Skills Council.
“As this is the first time we’ve offered an apprenticeship of this kind, we weren’t sure what kind of response it would get. But it’s been phenomenal!” says Lynne McCadden, Managing Director of Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the region’s TV, film, radio and digital content industries.
“We believe that talent isn’t about where you live or skin colour, educational achievements, gender or any number of other irrelevant factors,” adds Lynne.
“This is the first opportunity for young people who don’t have GCSE maths or English, to still be able to apply for an apprenticeship which offers so much potential for their future career.”
Kate O’Connor, Skillset’s Director of Policy and Development agrees, seeing the new apprenticeships as one way to diversify broadcasting talent in the region.
“With the Northwest set to become one the biggest media hubs in the UK we are dedicated to a diversity of talent, and the Production Apprenticeship scheme is just one of the ways we can ensure this,” says Kate.
“Even before this scheme was launched we’d had
interest from other regions and nations, with both Yorkshire and
Wales keen to run pilots of the scheme,” she adds.
The 18-month Programme, which will run from September 2007 through
to June 2009, will offer apprentices the chance to develop core
skills in TV production, with story telling and audiences at the
heart of all the work they do.
Each apprentice will be paid an allowance, in addition to receiving training and all the experience needed to kick-start their career in the industry. In addition, participants will be able to gain a Level 3 qualification while training.
Apprentices will work across a range of companies such as All Out Productions, BBC, Centini, ITV Granada, Lime Pictures, Objective North, Red and Sumners.
“The apprenticeship will develop skills and abilities in various production roles, as well as allowing the trainees to learn about all areas of the media industry,” explains Lynne McCadden. “Apprentices will also develop invaluable contacts and a wealth of practical experience across a range of different broadcasting companies.”
At the end of the scheme, it’s hoped the apprentices will be the next generation of industry talent. “There’s no guarantees, but once the scheme ends the trainees will have acquired all the skills and experience they need to secure work in their chosen part of the media industry,” says Lynne.
The first three months of the scheme will be spent in college, getting trainees prepared for their first work placement, during which time they’ll complete the industry induction certificate.
