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ORGANISATION: This apprenticeship will start with a 3‑month placement with Optomen Television, followed by a placement with another production company in the Midlands region for the remainder of the apprenticeship.
LOCATION: Location : Optomen Studio, Timothy's Bridge Road, Stratford‑upon‑Avon, CV37 9NQ. As mentioned, the placement will take place at the former location for the first 3 months, therefore you must be prepared to travel (costs supported by the BBC). The next Midlands‑based location is still to be confirmed for the remainder of the apprenticeship.
CONTRACT TYPE: 13-month Fixed Term Contract, Full time, (September 2026 to October 2027).
SALARY: £24,650 per year.
ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT TELEVISION AND EXCITED BY THE BUZZ OF A STUDIO ENVIRONMENT?
Do you want to learn how TV is made from behind the scenes? Are you organised, practical, and ready to muck in wherever needed?
The BBC Flexi Job Apprentice Agency (FJAA) is offering an exciting opportunity to join us a Production Apprentice.
Through the BBC's Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Agency, you will be hired by the BBC and will begin your apprenticeship with Optomen Television for an initial 3‑month placement working on Great British Menu at their studio in Stratford-upon-Avon. You will then complete the remainder of your apprenticeship with another production company in the midlands region, gaining broader industry experience across multiple productions.
WHY BECOME A PRODUCTION APPRENTICE?
As a Production Apprentice, you'll begin your journey with Optomen, as part of the team delivering Great British Menu, gaining hands‑on experience in both the studio and the production office. You'll support the team with everything from studio prep and contributor care to on‑set support and behind‑the‑scenes content.
After your initial placement, you'll move to a second production company, where you'll continue building your skills on a different production, giving you a broader understanding of the industry.
This is a varied, practical role ideal for someone looking to take their first step into TV production. No two days will be the same - and you'll finish the apprenticeship with real insight into how a major studio-based programme, and more, is made. As part of the Flexi Job Apprenticeship model, you should be prepared to transition between host employers during the programme, with support from the BBC throughout.
Apprentices from this scheme typically progress into roles such as Runner, Junior Researcher, Broadcast Assistant, Content Producer, Junior Production Coordinator, or Technical Operator.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT
During your placement with Optomen, you will:
* Print schedules, distribute call sheets, and support the production office with general admin.
* Assist with daily studio set up, including prepping kitchen stations, organising ingredients, and ensuring all filming areas are kept clean and camera ready by clearing plates, resetting worktops, and maintaining safe walkways around cables and hot surfaces.
* Support the Production Coordinator and crew with on set tasks such as moving equipment, fetching props, and relaying messages between departments.
* Look after chefs, presenters and contributors, managing dressing rooms, escort contributors to and from set, making sure everyone knows where they need to be and help maintain a calm, organised atmosphere on busy filming days
* Capture behind the scenes photos and short video clips throughout the shoot, including food prep, studio set ups and off camera moments doing so safely, respectfully and without disrupting filming or revealing sensitive information.
* Assist the production or digital team in selecting appropriate BTS moments for social platforms while monitoring social trends related to food, cookery and food television.
* Draft captions and log key moments, carry out basic photo editing to ensure content is polished, and helping maintain a consistent tone of voice.
* Organise and label digital assets so they are easy for the team to access and ensure all content follows brand guidelines and is approved before use.
Responsibilities during your second placement will vary depending on the production, but will continue to build on these core skills in a different working environment.
What will you be studying?
You'll be studying your industry recognised qualification, learning both on- and off-the-job in a programme by Bauer Academy. Your time will be mixed between on-the-job exerpeince and training blocks. There are three two week training blocks within the nine-month learning period and in between this you will be completing your work responsibilities, while evidencing your apprenticeship experience.
An apprenticeship requires full commitment and discipline from the learner. Alongside experiences and training, there is an expectation of wider self-learning and the requirement to meet learning objectives and deadlines, as outlined by the apprenticeship standards.
For more information on this apprenticeship standard, you will be studying please visit this link.
YOUR SKILLS AND ELIGIBILITY
We're interested in your passion and enthusiasm to deliver world-class excellence to the BBC and Optoman 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.
If you can bring some of these skills and experiences, along with transferable strengths, we'd love to hear from you and encourage you to apply:
* Enthusiastic about starting a career in television and comfortable working in either a studio environment or in a production office.
* Reliable, organised with an attention to detail and happy to be hands on.
* Friendly, calm and professional working attitude and the ability to work well others.
* Proactive and adaptable when priorities change.
* Interested in food, factual entertainment or studio formats.
* Desire to learn and develop practical production skills. No previous production experience is required. A positive attitude, commitment and curiosity matter most.
This apprenticeship opportunity is ideal for someone at an early stage in their career who is looking to gain experience in a professional environment alongside a qualification. If you already have experience in this area, we recommend exploring other roles that may be better suited to the next step in your career, which can be found at careers.bbc.co.uk .
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must:
* Be aged 18 or over when the apprenticeship starts in 2 Sept 2026.
* Live within a commutable distance of Birmingham.
* Have lived in the UK continuously for the last 3 years prior to the start of the apprenticeship
* Be legally eligible to work full-time in the UK for the entire duration of the apprenticeship
* Not currently be taking part in an apprenticeship scheme supported by the BBC or another organisation.
To apply for this scheme, you must also:
* Not have completed or hold qualifications in the apprenticeship subject at the same or higher level.
* Be prepared to travel to agreed placement locations.
* Be available for the in-person assessment which will take place on 28 July 2026 at BBC Birmingham.
* Be able to start on Wednesday 2 September 2026.
For candidates under the age of 19 years at 2 September 2026: To complete the apprenticeship, you must have achieved Maths and English GCSE at Grade 4/C or above or National 5 (Scotland) at C or Functional Skills Level 2 or equivalent qualification. If you have not achieved these qualifications by the start of your apprenticeship, you will be required to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 before the end of your apprenticeship when you take your end-point assessment.
READY TO APPLY?
Don't leave yourself wondering "what if?" this could be your chance to be part of something exciting. See yourself thriving in this role? Just click 'Apply Now'!
You'll create a candidate profile and answer a few questions - no CV or cover letter needed. If you're eligible, we'll guide you through the next steps of the process and what to expect.
Please note that you must live in a commutable distance from the location which you are applying for this apprenticeship - there is an expectation for you to be working in the office. In addition, the benefits outlined in the 'Life at the BBC' section of this advert and subsequent communications - including annual leave entitlement and pension arrangements - differ for Flexi Job Apprenticeship Agency placements.
This is a fixed-term apprenticeship - your contract lasts for the duration of the scheme. Once completed, you'll be supported with career development, employability training, and networking opportunities to help you take your next step.
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