Broadcast and Media Systems Technical Operator Apprenticeship - Level 3 - London

Summary

The BBC’s broadcast services are at the heart of communities across the UK; telling stories that matter to people, on TV, radio, online and via our wider digital services. Through this apprenticeship opportunity, you could be part of the next generation of highly skilled Technical Operators.

Wage

£24,650 a year

(plus 5,441 London weighting)

Training course

Broadcast and media systems technical operator (level 3)

Hours

Shifts to be confirmed.

35 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 7 September 2027

Duration

2 years 1 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

As a Broadcast Technical Operator Apprentice (BOA27), this is a brilliant opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute - you will: 

• Gain practical experience across all aspects of live and recorded broadcasting, including camera operations on location, studio-based technical roles, directing, lighting, editing, and graphic design for regional and national BBC programmes
• Contribute to the delivery of high-quality content for BBC shows, using advanced broadcast technologies such as satellite trucks and IP systems for outside broadcasts
• Develop a strong understanding of how technical production, editorial decisions, and audience engagement work together to shape compelling content across TV, digital, and online platforms

Where you'll work

New Broadcasting House
Portland Place
London
W1A 1AA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

NATIONAL FILM AND TELEVISION SCHOOL(THE)

Training course

Broadcast and media systems technical operator (level 3)

What you'll learn

• Agree the operational requirements and protocols relating to broadcast and media systems, software and equipment including who can use them.
• Connect broadcast and media systems and equipment to network systems.
• Use industry software, hardware and follow organisational processes and procedures to deliver workflow outputs.
• Check and confirm that broadcast operation complies with relevant regulations, standards, guidelines and procedures such as flashing images, loudness consistency.
• Check the quality of outputs of broadcast systems using subjective and objective assessments such as output picture and sound quality, comparison with industry standards and system specifications, data stream and signal path analysis.
• Monitor the operation of broadcast and media systems at required times.
• Inform relevant personnel of monitoring activities and outcomes.
• Apply techniques to ingest content, process, play out or export broadcast data or media.
• Check and confirm the content or data to be broadcast is in the required format for the broadcast method, job, and region.
• Play out or export media in line with technical requirements.
• Work in line with organisational processes and procedures to maintain the integrity and security of file-based media content to avoid hacking or theft of assets, reporting if there are any breaches.
• Record maintenance requirements in organisational systems for future use or corrective action.
• Follow sustainable practices in line with industry standard recommendations.
• Establish and agree clear terms of reference with stakeholders to assess if objectives have been met.
• Provide updates to technical and non-technical stakeholders adapting language to suit the audience.
• Apply incident management procedures, and report in line with organisational procedures.
• Recognise faults and follow procedures to rectify these or escalate within own level of responsibility.
• Comply with health and safety legislation and policies, including electrical safety procedures, reporting any health and incidents or hazards.
• Operate within specific safety precautions when working with broadcast equipment, software and systems.
• Maintain a secure working environment, in line with organisational policies, protect individuals, information and organisational assets.
• Agree the operational requirements and protocols relating to broadcast and media systems, software and equipment including who can use them.
• Connect broadcast and media systems and equipment to network systems.
• Use industry software, hardware and follow organisational processes and procedures to deliver workflow outputs.
• Check and confirm that broadcast operation complies with relevant regulations, standards, guidelines and procedures such as flashing images, loudness consistency.
• Check the quality of outputs of broadcast systems using subjective and objective assessments such as output picture and sound quality, comparison with industry standards and system specifications, data stream and signal path analysis.
• Monitor the operation of broadcast and media systems at required times.
• Inform relevant personnel of monitoring activities and outcomes.
• Apply techniques to ingest content, process, play out or export broadcast data or media.
• Check and confirm the content or data to be broadcast is in the required format for the broadcast method, job, and region.
• Play out or export media in line with technical requirements.
• Work in line with organisational processes and procedures to maintain the integrity and security of file-based media content to avoid hacking or theft of assets, reporting if there are any breaches.
• Record maintenance requirements in organisational systems for future use or corrective action.
• Follow sustainable practices in line with industry standard recommendations.
• Establish and agree clear terms of reference with stakeholders to assess if objectives have been met.
• Provide updates to technical and non-technical stakeholders adapting language to suit the audience.
• Apply incident management procedures, and report in line with organisational procedures.
• Recognise faults and follow procedures to rectify these or escalate within own level of responsibility.
• Comply with health and safety legislation and policies, including electrical safety procedures, reporting any health and incidents or hazards.
• Operate within specific safety precautions when working with broadcast equipment, software and systems.
• Maintain a secure working environment, in line with organisational policies, protect individuals, information and organisational assets.

Training schedule

You’ll study for your industry recognised apprenticeship qualification, learning both on and off the job. 

Your learning with the National Film and Television School will introduce you to a wide variety of skills across both TV and Radio, including:

• Camera Operations
• Floor Management
• TV Vision Mixing
• Sound Operations
• Technical Directing
• Shoot and Edit Multi-Skilled Operator
• Picture and Audio Editing
• Ingest and Library functions

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative

Other requirements

To be eligible for an apprenticeship at the BBC, you must:

• Be 18 years old or over by the time the apprenticeship begins in September 2027
• You have to be 18 or over to work at the BBC due to our insurance policies
• Have lived in the UK continuously for the last three years prior to the start of the apprenticeship
• Be legally eligible to work full-time in the UK for the entire duration of the apprenticeship
• Not currently be enrolled in another apprenticeship programme, whether with the BBC or another organisation
• Not already hold a qualification in the same subject area at the same or a higher level than this apprenticeship

To apply for this scheme, you must also:

• Not have completed or hold qualifications in the apprenticeship subject at level 3 or above
• Not have completed or hold an extended BTEC or degree in media, television, film, audio or radio production
• Have little or no work experience in the subject area
• For candidates under the age of 19 years on 7 September 2027: To complete the apprenticeship, you must have achieved maths and English GCSE at Grade 4/C or above or National 5 (Scotland) at C or Functional Skills Level 2 or equivalent qualification. If you have not achieved these qualifications by the start of your apprenticeship, you will be required to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 before the apprenticeship assessment when you take your end-point assessment