Broadcast & Media Systems Technical Operator Apprenticeship – Level 3

ABOUT THE BBC

Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual’s unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

ABOUT THE ROLE

An apprenticeship at the BBC gives you the opportunity to kick-start your career in a job you’ll love. We’re the industry leaders in early careers and are committed to your skills and talent development. As one of the world’s most creative and technologically advanced organisations for the last 100 years, an apprenticeship at the BBC means the opportunity to learn from the most respected and experienced professionals in the business.

The BBC’s broadcast services are at the heart of communities across the UK; telling stories that matter to people, on TV, radio, online and via our wider digital services. Through this apprenticeship opportunity, you could be part of the next generation of highly skilled Technical Operators.

Working alongside journalists and programme makers are a dedicated team of technical operators who make sure the broadcast equipment and technology side of our business run smoothly.  This apprenticeship is an exciting entry level opportunity to join the BBC in towns and cities across the country; working at the front end of technical operating in sound and/or vision in the newsroom ingest hubs, galleries, studios, post-production areas, and out on location.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

What will you be doing on the apprenticeship ?

As a Broadcast Technical Operator Apprentice your college learning with the National Film and Television School will introduce you to a wide variety of skills across both TV and Radio. You will also gain many of the following skills via on the job ‘learning by doing’ supplemented by first class training across BBC training sites:

• Camera Operations
• Floor Management
• TV Vision Mixing
• Sound Operations
• Technical Directing
• Shoot and Edit Multi-Skilled Operator
• Picture and Audio Editing
• Ingest and Library functions

What will you be studying ?

You’ll study for your industry recognised apprenticeship qualification, learning both on and off the job. This involves attending blocks of teaching at the NFTS throughout the apprenticeship, with access to their industry standard facilities, and industry experts.

Where could the role take you ?

On successful completion of your apprenticeship, you will be able to able to look for job opportunities inside or outside the BBC such as a Multi-Skilled Technical Operator, Camera Operator, Sound Engineer, Studio Director, Graphics Assistant, Lighting Assistant or Floor Manager.

This scheme starts in September 2025, and you will be on a fixed term contract which means your contract is for the duration of the apprenticeship only.  The duration of this scheme is 24 months.

ARE YOU THE RIGHT CANDIDATE ?

We’re interested in your passion for working at the BBC and your enthusiasm for delivering world-class content and operational excellence to our audiences. We look for positive people who live our values and ensure our culture remains inclusive and full of opportunities.

We’re not focused on your qualifications; instead, we look for potential and offer you the opportunity to apply your transferable strengths and experience to work in different ways.

Throughout the selection process, we’ll be looking for evidence of how you demonstrate each of the BBC’s values and behaviours. Our values guide everything we do. They define what you can expect from the BBC and what the BBC expects from you.

Great Technical Operator apprentices are those who can demonstrate they: 

• Are passionate about media content and the technical production side of how that content reaches the audience.
• Can work calmly under pressure.
• Are fascinated by how things work.
• Have brilliant organisational skills and are great at problem-solving.
• Are enthusiastic self-starters, flexible and adaptable to out-of-hours working.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Be aged 18 or over when the apprenticeship starts in September 2025.
• By the start of the apprenticeship in September 2025, have lived in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) for a minimum of 3 years.
• Be eligible to work in the UK full time for the duration of the apprenticeship contract.
• Not currently taking part in an apprenticeship scheme supported by the BBC or another organisation.
• Have Maths and English GCSE at Grade 4/C or above or National 5 (Scotland) at C or equivalent qualification.
• Not have completed or hold qualifications in the apprenticeship subject at the same or higher level*.

*Please note that having studied media, television, film, audio or radio production at degree level will likely mean you’re ineligible for this scheme. This is due to the prior learning requirements of the apprenticeship set by the learning provider.

WHAT YOU GET

During your Apprenticeship:

• A starting salary of £21,840 (+ £5,318 London Living Allowance).
• Industry-leading training through the BBC Academy and our learning providers (this may involve travel to locations across the UK).
• A dedicated Team Manager and Scheme Specialist to help with your development.
• Training and Mentoring by industry professionals.
• A 35-hour working week, 25 days of annual leave and a defined pension scheme. Plus discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.

Towards the end of your apprenticeship:

• An industry recognised qualification.
• Lots of experience to help you seek out new challenges and work opportunities within the BBC and wider industry.
• Employability and networking training to help you secure your next role.

This scheme is aimed at non-graduates. If you have a degree or you’re interested in production roles at the BBC, we recommend applying for jobs at careers.bbc.co.uk

To view the full job description, please click here —> BBC – Broadcast & Media Systems Technical Operator Apprenticeship Level 3 – JD