Entry level opportunities
Take your first step and kickstart your career in the creative industries by applying for one of the entry-level opportunities below.
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Trainee researcher
Closing date: 10th June 2024 at 11.59pm
Salary: £19,061 via a training bursary
Duration: 12 months
Working hours: 10am – 6pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional need to work outside those hours that will be given back in lieu
Location: Media City, Salford (at least 3 days per week onsite depending on production schedules)
Start date: Late June to Early July 2024
Gain a unique understanding of the researcher role in journalistic filmmaking through this 12-month placement with BBC Studios.
The Documentary Unit, BBC Studios is known for its reputational series and singles and produces some of the most awarded and watched factual titles in television.
This is an exciting chance to work as a trainee researcher, supporting the Rip Off Britain, Scam Interceptors and The One Show teams. You will work closely with the researchers, assistant producers and producers within the editorial team.
About the programmes
Rip Off Britain is the consumer-affairs powerhouse of the BBC Daytime schedule, mixing incisive consumer investigations, compelling human stories and invaluable advice. It holds to account the companies getting things wrong, leaving people out of pocket.
The One Show VT team in Salford produces Current Affairs and Arts films for BBC One’s ‘The One Show’ which remains the most-watched factual magazine programme on TV.
The team is also behind the BAFTA-nominated BBC1 Scam Interceptors series, which uses ethical hacking to expose and intervene in live scams.
Key activities
- Fact-finding, calling collaborators to find new information and check existing research notes.
- Fact-checking scripts.
- Reading relevant literature to help inform stories - writing up key points in an easy-to-digest form.
- Story finding – using traditional news outlets and social media to look for relevant cases.
- Reaching out to and interviewing contributors, particularly on the telephone.
- Investigating scams and supporting the team in ‘scambaiting’ for Scam Interceptors.
What we're looking for
- An interest in consumer stories and current affairs.
- Passionate about storytelling.
- Confident speaking on the phone.
- Attention to detail.
- Strong research and writing skills.
- A good team player, hardworking and enthusiastic.
- A driving license would be beneficial but not essential.
To apply
- Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
- Upload your CV and cover letter as one document (applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted)
- Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully
- Do not contact the company directly
- Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk
This opportunity is specifically created for individuals from specific groups that are under-represented across the creative industries and at BBC Studios. Those backgrounds include, but aren’t limited to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates, disabled people, those undergoing gender reassignment / transitioning and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
The successful candidate for this opportunity will also participate in a Creative Access support programme that sits alongside workplace training. This includes a programme of induction training, monthly masterclasses, wellbeing support, buddying / mentoring and more.
Level of experience
- Entry
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How can Creative Access help me start my career in the creative industries?
Creative Access provides access to entry-level opportunities designed to help you get started in your target industry. These include positive action traineeships, internships, mentoring opportunities, career events and permanent entry positions. If you’re planning your big break into industries like publishing, journalism, music, dance, theatre, television, film, marketing & more – here are the live opportunities that can make it happen!
What types of roles are available for individuals at entry level?
We work with leading creative industry partners to bring you a wide range of entry-level opportunities. Internships and traineeships offer short-term work experience in a field and a chance to forge connections with industry insiders, whereas permanent entry-level roles can be a starting point for continual career progression within the organisation. Our events and masterclasses are targeted towards individuals from backgrounds that are under-represented in the sector and can provide unique insight about your area of interest directly from industry professionals as well as networking opportunities (read more about our previous masterclasses). Finally, our mentoring schemes will also appear on this page when open to applications; these offer bespoke and direct guidance from industry professionals to help you navigate your career path.
What do the three dots under some of the company logos mean?
This is our visual indication for a Positive Action Scheme! You should see this identified on the page itself too. These are the Creative Access opportunities aimed at allowing organisations to offer paid training programmes to under-represented groups. These initiatives ensure the opportunity is for training, not a permanent job, and are normally aimed towards under-represented groups in terms of ethnicity, disability, and socio-economic background. This will be specified on each opportunity.
What kind of organisations or industries could I be working in?
Creative Access partners with organisations in the creative industries to improve diversity, equity and inclusion through access to career progression through the roles we promote. Industries we work with include television and film, publishing, journalism, theatre, music, talent management, museums and galleries, campaigning and politics, and communications, PR, and marketing.
Do I need to live in London to get a creative industries job?
While many creative industry roles are traditionally based in London, we also promote opportunities in cities like Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Oxford, Edinburgh, and other regions. Hybrid and fully remote roles are increasingly available, offering more flexibility in your job location.
How can I write an application without industry experience?
For entry-level roles, it's crucial to demonstrate enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and any relevant experiences – even if they come from outside the industry. Employers partnering with Creative Access are encouraged to value diverse backgrounds and transferable skills, so don't hesitate to highlight any experience that showcases your potential effectiveness in the role. We frequently run group CV consultations which will be listed on this page and offer plenty of tips about putting together your application.