At the end of last year, the BBC, Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IfATE) and ScreenSkills convened industry leaders, apprentices and educators to relaunch the Junior Production Coordinator Apprenticeship.
Introduced in 2021 to address the growing skills gap in production management, over 80 apprentices have completed or are currently enrolled in the programme.
The latest revisions reflect the evolving needs of the industry and were spearheaded by industry-led committees - or Trailblazers - responsible for apprenticeship development. These included the BBC, Amazon, Framestore, Bauer Academy and the National Film and Television School (NFTS).
Attendees heard from Sarah Moors (Head of Apprenticeships at the BBC); Amy Smith (Global Director of Recruitment and Outreach, Framestore), Jennifer Coupland (CEO, IfATE) and Kirsty Woollaston (Senior Product Manager, IfATE) and Tim Weiss (Director of Vocational Skills, ScreenSkills).
Apprentices who had completed the Junior Production Coordinator apprenticeship - Pearl Adewale, Elliott Soraff, Evana Kappos and Chenoa Pugh – also shared their personal experiences. They spoke about the value of on-the-job training, and emphasised how the programme had supported their professional growth and helped to build their confidence and soft skills.
“This revision reflects the evolving needs of the industry and ensures the apprenticeship stays in step with the ever-changing demands of production management. The collaborative effort reflects the industry’s commitment to nurturing talent and ensuring apprentices gain practical, job-ready skills,” said Daniell Morrisey, Trailblazer Chair for the JPC Apprenticeship and a member of the BBC’s apprenticeship team.
The revised apprenticeship introduces significant changes to enhance accessibility and relevance. This includes a stronger focus on required knowledge, skills and behaviours; streamlined processes for apprentices and employers; simplified assessment methods; and clearer grading criteria which now include merit or distinction grades.
The standard also now includes separate pathways for production and post-production roles, ensuring a comprehensive approach that reflects the industry’s varied demands and enabling a pipeline of skilled professionals who understand the realities of both production and post-production environments.
“Apprenticeships are vital for addressing skills shortages,” said Sarah Moors. “At the BBC, we aim to have 1,000 apprentices in 2025. This revised programme strengthens our ability to attract and develop diverse talent.” The BBC’s apprenticeship schemes span areas such as television, radio and digital production, offering opportunities for career starters and career changers alike.
Tim Weiss concluded: “ScreenSkills has worked tirelessly to ensure the standard is practical and accessible. Through initiatives like the flexi-job apprenticeship pilot, we’ve tested models to suit the freelance nature of the creative industries. This approach not only diversifies the talent pool but also provides apprentices with broad, invaluable experience. The creative industries need to address skills gaps at all levels. With the right support, apprenticeships can play a key role in achieving this.”