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Overall Winner & Winner in the Public Sector Short Term Placement Category

BBC Radio Newsroom

The BBC Radio Newsroom takes on 18 placement students per year on placements lasting from one to four weeks. The newsroom believes their placement scheme allows them to show the BBC is approachable and open to all with the right talents.

When recruiting placement students emphasis is placed on passion for the industry and relevant competencies rather than previous experience. A senior journalist is taken off normal duties to spend a week coaching, encouraging and giving feedback to the placement students. Students at the BBC write pieces for radio news, with continuous feedback being given by senior journalists. Once a student has adapted to the writing style of the newsroom, their work is offered for broadcast - with most placement students hearing their work on air. Students also receive training in the art of news reading by Radio 4 announcers, and are provided with a mini disc recording of their efforts. Students have found this demo useful when applying for postgraduate journalism courses.

The judges were impressed with the level of feedback received by the students, with a senior journalist giving the placement student continuous feedback on their work. At the end of the placement, students have a confidential one-to-one with their mentor where performance is assessed and pointers for the future are provided.

The judges awarded the BBC Radio Newsroom the Overall Winner of the NCWE Awards 2006/07 as they demonstrate a strong community ethos and dedication to enthusing and encouraging young people at every stage in their education to become involved with their business and to believe that a successful career in radio broadcasting is attainable for all.

Key Success Factors

  • Support for the placement was deemed to be excellent with assessment of the student at different levels and practical on-the-job feedback
  • Students meet top role models for their chosen career
  • The organisation demonstrated a strong community ethos by taking part in a pilot ‘School Report’ programme, building rapport and enthusiasm in the business with school children
"“I found the placement to be useful, inspiring and better than I ever could have hoped for” BBC Radio Newsroom placement student"