Journalist Apprenticeship - Level 6 - BBC East Midlands News - Leicester

Location: Leicester, UK — Radio Leicester; applicants must live within a commutable distance. The apprenticeship also includes in-person bootcamps at PA Media Academy in London and may involve travel across the UK.

Salary: £26,000 per year. Fixed-term, full-time apprenticeship for 24 months.

Company

hirify.global East Midlands News is part of the hirify.global, a public service media organisation producing trusted content that informs, educates and entertains audiences.

What you will do

• Create trusted, high-quality news content for hirify.global audiences.
• Research, write and produce stories covering current affairs, business, sport, culture and politics.
• Develop storytelling and audience engagement skills through hands-on newsroom experience.
• Collaborate with experienced journalists and specialist teams on stories of public interest.
• Attend weekly virtual webinars and in-person training, covering media law, advanced newsgathering, advanced storytelling and advanced audience.
• Complete the Level 6 apprenticeship and work towards the NCTJ National Qualification in Journalism, assessed through two exams and a work logbook.

Requirements

• Strong journalistic skills and a passion for storytelling.
• Active interest in sports news across multiple platforms.
• Interest in people, communities and issues shaping the world.
• Fresh, creative ideas for engaging new audiences.
• Motivation, adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated journalistic potential through experience such as community or student newspapers, radio, blogs, vlogs, podcasts or social media content.
• Must be at least 18 by the apprenticeship start in September 2027.
• Must have lived continuously in the UK for the three years before the apprenticeship starts and be legally eligible to work full-time in the UK for the entire apprenticeship.
• Must not be enrolled in another apprenticeship or already hold a qualification in the same subject at the same or higher level.
• Must not have previously completed any elements of the NQJ.
• Must have English GCSE Grade 4/C or above, National 5 at C, Functional Skills Level 2 or an equivalent qualification. Applicants under 19 at the start must also meet the equivalent maths requirement.

Nice to have

• NCTJ Diploma, Level 5 Journalist Apprenticeship or another journalism qualification.

Culture & Benefits

• Industry-recognised qualification, hirify.global Academy training and mentoring from industry professionals.
• Dedicated Team Manager and Scheme Specialist, career development, employability training and networking support.
• 35-hour working week, 25 days of annual leave, pension scheme, healthcare and gym-related benefits.
• Inclusive, values-based working environment with support for disabled applicants and reasonable adjustments.
• Relocation financial support may be available subject to financial eligibility criteria.
• Fixed-term contract lasts for the 24-month scheme; further hirify.global roles may be applied for after completion.

Hiring process

• Apply online by creating a candidate profile and answering application questions; no CV or cover letter is required.
• Only online applications are accepted, and candidates should apply to only one hirify.global apprenticeship location.
• Offers are conditional on skill-scan eligibility, employment screening and relevant eligibility, safeguarding or adverse media checks.