The BBC Academy has partnered with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Skills Funding Agency (SFA), and is inviting young unemployed people to apply to take part in its BBC Make it Digital Traineeship, which will be available in around 60 towns and cities in England.
The scheme is open to 16-24 year olds who are unemployed, have fewer than two A Levels and have an interest in developing their digital skills. Applicants can register their interest via their local Jobcentre Plus.
Training will be delivered by local providers across the country followed by structured work placements with local employers.
Up to 5,000 eight week opportunities are expected to be available over the next year in locations ranging from Southend, Runcorn, Bury St Edmunds to South Shields and cities including Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool and London.
The BBC Make it Digital Traineeship was announced by BBC director-general Tony Hall at the start of this year’s BBC Make it Digital initiative, which aims to inspire a new generation to get creative with coding, programming and digital technology, and help address the current skills shortage in the UK’s technology sector.
The launch follows a successful pilot which ran in Birmingham this year that 50 young people took part in, with many going on to an apprenticeship or to gain employment. Eight weeks after the traineeships completed 50 per cent had received job offers or offers of a further work placement.
The final stage of the Traineeship is a three week structured work placement, with the focus on selecting companies who are likely to require basic-level digital skills. These companies are being sourced with the help of the Tech Partnership, the Federation of Small Businesses, the National Apprenticeship Service and other partners at a local level. Those who show strong potential will be encouraged to apply for a BBC Apprenticeship.
Joe Godwin, director of the BBC Academy, said, “Now up to 5,000 more young unemployed people will be able to benefit from proper hands-on work experience, while helping to create a more diverse workforce. Businesses will benefit from young people with great employability skills who can help them navigate the digital world.”
