Birmingham City University and BBC team up for apprenticeship scheme

Talented young people begin studying on BBC apprenticeship

A group of talented young people have taken up their places on a prestigious BBC apprenticeship preparing them for acareer in TV and Radio engineering.

The cohort are starting their studies on the BEng (Hons) Broadcast and Communications Engineering course funded by the BBC and run by Birmingham City University.

The University beat off competition a number of other institutions to be chosen as the BBC’s partner provider for the specialist Higher Level apprenticeship, which gives students real-world experience as well as equipping them with a degree.

Students, were selected for the three-year course after thousands of applications were received, and will be sponsored for their studies by the BBCand will also benefit from gaining industry placements with not only the BBC but organisations such as ITV, Arqiva, BT, Hat Trick, Babcock and Dock 10.

During their studies they will be taught a comprehensive range of technologies from IP networking, computing, signal processing and emerging technologies to address the demand of the rapidly evolving broadcast Industry.

Simon Handley, Associate Dean for Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment at Birmingham City University, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as the BBC’s provider for this course and even more pleased to have opened our doors to these 20 new students. 

“Giving young people the education and training they need for a career is one of the most important roles a university serves, and these kind of higher level apprenticeships are a really important way for us to do that.

“Over the next three years the skills, experience and training these students receive, in both the University and the BBC, will set them up for a long and successful future in the industry.”

Based in Birmingham’s Millennium Point, the course will be delivered by academics in the University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment.

The new intake marks the first year in which the BBC has run courses solely through one University, with the BBC selecting students from across the UK.

Huw Davies, Programme Manager for BBC Academy, said “Birmingham City University put forward a tailored proposal that aligned very well with our industry designed apprenticeship scheme. Also, with the University’s recent reorganisation and convergence of teaching faculties they are aligning ever closer.

“Technology is evolving the digital landscape and the BBC need to be an ‘Internet Fit’ organisation for our global audiences. Our new talent to come from apprenticeships like this will drive the future of technology across the UK creative media industry.”

ENDS