A cohort of new BBC journalists are hitting the airwaves after completing their professional qualifications with City of Wolverhampton College.
The group of six, from across the UK, have completed the BBC Academy digital apprenticeship scheme which enabled them to combine working for the broadcasting giant with studying for the NCTJ Level 3 diploma in journalism at the college.
The college has been delivering the scheme since 2015 and, to date, has trained over 100 apprentices on the challenging 18-month programme giving them skills and knowledge to take on junior journalism roles at the BBC.
During the training the apprentices worked alongside BBC news teams on work placements, learning how to create and deliver quality news content for multiple platforms, as well as studying the theory of journalism at college, including media law, public affairs, broadcast for TV and radio, journalism ethics and video journalism.
In order to complete the programme, the apprentices had to complete a final assessment comprising a work-related project to demonstrate they had gained the relevant journalism skills and an understanding of the application of the skills and practices acquired on and off the job, a rationale of why they had chosen the topic, a statement of any legal, ethical or regulatory issues and a reflective review of their learning
Michael Dixon, head of faculty for technology, creative and academic studies at the college, said: “The digital journalism end point assessment is a real challenge – it is a culmination of over a year’s work and pulls together all the skills and knowledge the apprentices have learnt.
“It isn’t easy and I would like to congratulate them for their hard work and positivity and wish them every success as they embark on their future careers in journalism.”
Elena Bailey, who completed the apprenticeship and is now based with Political Newsgathering and BBC Radio Essex, said: “I’m delighted that I have successfully passed my end point assessment especially in the current climate and with all the uncertainties I’m so glad I’ve now completed my NCTJ.
“The ongoing support from both the college and my line managers especially has been superb throughout and I couldn’t have done it without them.”
The NCTJ diploma in journalism is the industry-recognised qualification and the college has been named as the leading further education provider of the programme for nine years in a row.
The college – which was named as Training Provider of the Year for its creative arts courses at the Creative and Cultural Skills Awards 2019 – is currently recruiting for the NCTJ course starting later this month – get details here
