Birmingham has been piloting a digital skills training programme being launched by the BBC which aims to boost young people’s employment chances and create a ‘digitally-savvy’ workforce.
The BBC Make it Digital Traineeship programme is a partnership between the broadcaster, the Department for Work and the Pensions and Skills Funding Agency, supported by a range of other organisations.
The scheme launched in Birmingham at the Custard Factory and saw 50 young people recruited through Jobcentres in Birmingham and Solihull.
READ MORE: {}
Following the pilot phase, supported by Custard Factory-based training companies Creative Alliance and TDM, the scheme will launch nationwide in an initiative which will see up to 5,000 young people benefit from training from the BBC Academy.
Over the next 12 months it will see 400 young people in Birmingham and the Black Country benefit.
As well as opening up opportunities for young people in the digital and creative sectors there is also a wider remit to equip young people with the digital skills that are in demand, particularly by SMEs, across the spectrum.
The nine-week traineeships will teach basic digital skills, such as planning social media campaigns and creating simple websites and short videos for the web, as well as equipping young people with employability skills, combining classrom-based training with a work placement.
Clair Paul, head of entry level talent at the BBC, said: “Essentially it is about teaching young people some strong basic skills that we know are in short supply.
Most Read
“Things such as social networking skills and how they can be used to attract customers.
“Half of it is about building those skills and half is about professional and employability skills such as team working and confidence.
“It’s a combination of digital savviness and employability skills.
“The BBC’s principal role is to use our training space to pull the whole thing together.”
Ms Paul said some of those who show potential would be encouraged to apply for BBC apprenticeships and would have acquired skills and experience which would boost their chances of securing an apprenticeship.
She added that the Custard Factory location for the Birmingham programme was perfect, as it was located next to the BBC’s digital guerilla unit in Fazeley Street which they were trying to develop as “a hub for digital talent”.
The programme, due to launch this summer, is being funded through the Adult Skills Budget, run by the Skills Funding Agency, and will be delivered by external training providers around the country.
Don’t miss
The content has been created by the BBC Academy, working with the Tech Partnership, drawing on existing BBC training.
The Make it Digital Traineeship scheme is set to form a key part of the BBC’s Make it Digital initiative, which aims to inspire a new generation to get creative with coding, programming and digital technology.
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 will be sourced with the help of the Tech Partnership, the Federation of Small Businesses, the National Apprenticeship Service and other partners at a local level.
Jobcentre work coaches involved in talent-spotting and identifying suitable candidates.
News of the Make it Digital initiative coincides with Birmingham’s first Digital Week, being hosted by BBC Birmingham and other partners.
From March 14-20 it will showcase the range of digital industries in the creative and business sectors in one of the largest programmes of training, events, workshops and panels yet held for those working in broadcast, digital agencies, games, arts and creative industries.
The event sees BBC Birmingham, now home to The BBC Academy, working with The Arts Council England, Birmingham City Creative Partnership, Creative England, Creative Skillset and Birmingham City University.