The BBC Apprentice Hub puts the Midlands on the map for creative talent

The BBC today showcased the home-grown talent they recruited to work with some of the Midlands top creative businesses since launching the Apprentice Hub earlier this year. The event which took place at Austin Court, Birmingham, was hosted by BBC presenter Amber Sandhu, who also entered the industry through a BBC early careers scheme.

Now, a fully-fledged presenter on BBC WM, BBC Midlands Today and BBC Sport, Amber is an advocate of the BBC Apprentice Hub which wasn’t around when she started out: “Representation is so important, you can only be it if you see it and that’s why the Apprentice Hub is important for local people who want to enter the creative industries, but don’t want to move to London.”

Amber spoke to some of the apprentices who are currently placed with Caters News Agency, Top Banana and Optomen Television.

Louis Griffin, a content producer at Top Banana, said: “We produce commercial films and every day is completely different. I thought I’d be making teas and coffees when I started but actually I’ve been involved in every step of the production, from the initial creative pitch to the final edit. It is definitely more hands on than I thought it would be and I love it.”

Richard Bridge, CEO at Top Banana, said: “What attracted us to this scheme was taking on someone who hasn’t been in the industry at all, and giving them an opportunity that would usually be difficult to come by. It’s a win-win. We get new talent with fresh ideas, whilst giving back to local creatives who want to work in film but don’t want to leave the Midlands.

“This placement has been great for Louis. Not only does he get to work with creatives, he also works closely with our clients, giving him a more rounded experience which will prepare him for his next role.”

Handsworth-based actor, film-maker, and BBC presenter, Theo Johnson, recently made history by landing the first BBC 1Xtra radio show to be made outside of London. He said: “I worked hard to get to where I am today. As a Brummie, it was hard to land any opportunities in music or acting if you didn’t live in the capital. I even slept on a friend’s sofa for seven months in London for a better chance of getting roles.

“It would have been a dream to have a scheme like the Apprentice Hub be available to me when I was growing up. It makes me happy to see that there is something like this for the next generation.”

The Apprentice Hub is a Flexi-Job apprentice agency where the BBC acts as the host employer, arranging placements for aspiring creatives with local businesses.

Sarah Moors, head of Early Careers and Staff Apprenticeships, at the BBC Academy said: “We are delighted with the response we’ve had to the Apprentice Hub so far. The partnerships we have built with local businesses and the new talent we have found for them have proved the scheme can drive growth and build talent in the Midlands.”

The Apprentice Hub is based in Birmingham and is a part of the BBC’s Across the UK plans. It is the biggest transformation of the BBC in decades; moving power, production, and investment out of London.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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