BBC to offer vital digital skills training to unemployed people across Wales

Up to 200 unemployed people across Wales will be offered the chance to become a BBC Make It Digital Trainee to help them boost their chances of getting a job and to develop vital digital skills.

The eight-week traineeship will:

• include high-quality training designed by the industry-leading BBC Academy
• help develop key employability skills such as teamworking and confidence
• teach basic digital skills, such as creating simple websites and short videos for the web.

BBC Cymru Wales is set to announce the scheme at the National Digital Learning Event in Cardiff today.

The scheme is a major partnership between BBC Cymru Wales, the Welsh Government and the UK Government Department for Work and Pensions.

Rhodri Talfan Davies, BBC Cymru Wales Director said,

“The BBC is in a unique position to connect our most creative young people with Welsh companies that are leading the way in the digital arena. This scheme, the biggest of its kind in Wales, is a vital part of BBC Wales’ plans to help open up the creative and digital industries in Wales to a much broader range people from all backgrounds. It will also help address the growing need for digital skills across Welsh industry and business.”

The training project in Wales is a key part of the BBC’s Make it Digital initiative, which aims to inspire a new generation to develop digital and coding skills. The aim is that the most successful trainees will progress into roles in coding, programming and digital technology. But it’s all hoped all trainees will acquire vital new skills that boost their chances of securing employment.

The aim is that the most successful trainees will progress into roles in coding, programming and digital technology, it’s all hoped all trainees will acquire vital new skills that boost their chances of securing employment.

BBC Cymru Wales is working closely with S4C and a range of digital media companies to identify opportunities suitable for the new trainees.

Minister for Education and Skills Huw Lewis AM said,

“I am delighted that this joint initiative with the BBC will support up to 200 placements for young people and will help them to gain valuable digital skills and experience. Not only will these Make it Digital placements go some way to address employer need, they will also set the successful applicants on the right road for an exciting and fulfilling career ahead.”

Training will be delivered in Wrexham, Bangor as well as Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and is aimed at people aged 18 and over who are unemployed and receiving benefits.

The DWP’s nationwide Jobcentre Plus network will play a crucial role talent-spotting and identifying suitable candidates who will be invited to take part by their Jobcentre Work Coaches.

S4C Director of Partnerships Catrin Hughes Roberts commented,

“We’re really pleased to be able to work with the partners involved in this BBC Make It Digital Trainee scheme, and to contribute to the rich experience available to those able to take part.  As a broadcaster, digital skills are a key part of S4C’s work, and we’re pleased we’ll be able to offer knowledge and experience of Welsh language provision to the trainees as they develop their skills.”

The BBC is rolling out the scheme across the UK this summer, creating trainee places for up to 5000 people.

The Make It Digital trainee scheme aims to grow basic level digital skills and prepare trainees for employment or progression into apprenticeships. The programme has been designed to be highly relevant to the small and medium business sector where these skills are currently in short supply.

The programme will be delivered by high-quality external training providers. The content has been created by the BBC Academy, working with the Tech Partnership, drawing on existing BBC training and involving major brands to help inspire Trainees in an eight-week course.

There will be classroom-based training in two broad areas:

• Basic digital skills – such as planning social media campaigns by deconstructing Radio 1’s Wrecking Ball campaign, building simple websites and creating short videos for the web.
• Employability skills – including how to give and receive feedback, using The Great British Bake Off. Other key skills include budgeting, basic project management, team working, communication and maths.

The final stage of the Trainee scheme is a structured work placement, with the focus on selecting companies who are likely to require basic-level digital skills.