BBC North is working with Screen Yorkshire’s Beyond Brontës diversity training programme to help train young people and support them to get jobs in the media.
The collaboration will kick off later this month when a group of Beyond Brontës recruits from across Yorkshire are invited to spend time at the BBC’s Northern base at MediacityUK in Salford.
They will meet news teams who work on local radio, regional TV and Radio 5 Live in Leeds and Salford as well as hearing how to get involved in the BBC’s digital teams across the North. They will also be invited into the Breakfast TV studio.
Beyond Brontës is focused on addressing under-representation and is designed to help 18-24 years olds from diverse backgrounds break into the media industry. Each year 50 young people are recruited onto a 12-month programme where they are offered bespoke training packages, mentoring and work placements at regional production companies.
Sam Fray, Beyond Brontës Programme Manager at Screen Yorkshire, said: “We have had some great successes with our first group of trainees this year and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see them growing in confidence as they gain insight and experience working in the industry.
“I’m excited to be working with the BBC in the North to widen the opportunities that we are able offer to young people in Yorkshire and help promote the message that a career in the industry is possible for them.’’
Rozina Breen, Head of BBC North, added: “I’m thrilled to be working with Sam Fray at Screen Yorkshire who’s leading the Beyond Brontës programme. Diversity lies at the heart of our storytelling and the opportunity to work with such a strong group of diverse talent is both exciting and vital.”
