A NEW BBC digital traineeship is to be delivered in Birkenhead, giving 50 unemployed youngsters the opportunity to take part.

The BBC Academy and partners from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Skills Funding Agency (SFA) are calling on 16 to 24-year-olds across the region who are unemployed, have fewer than two A-levels and an interest in developing their digital skills to register their interest via their local Jobcentre Plus.

The nationwide Make it Digital Traineeship aims to inspire a new generation to get creative with coding, programming and digital technology, and help address the current skills shortage in the UK's technology sector.

The Jobcentre Plus network will play a crucial role in identifying suitable candidates, who will be invited to take part by their Jobcentre Work Coaches

Training will be delivered by a high-quality local training provider in Birkenhead followed by structured work placements with local employers. In total 50 opportunities are expected to be available in Birkenhead.

Aziz Rashid, head of regional and local programming at the BBC, said: “The BBC Make it Digital Traineeship will enable up to 50 unemployed people from Birkenhead  to benefit from  proper hands-on training, while helping to create a more diverse workforce. Businesses will benefit from young people with great employability skills who can help them navigate the digital world.”

Julia Nix, Jobcentre Plus manager said: "Up and down the country, Jobcentre Plus staff support young people in developing the skills and training they need to find a job. With rising wages and near record vacancies, we want young people to take up opportunities that will boost their experience and impress future employers.
 
"That's why we'll be launching a work experience campaign so that young people can make the most of schemes like these. We want more employers, like the BBC, to work with us so that we get the right people with the right skills in the right job.

"It's only by working with together that we can plug the skills gap in some industries and help people fulfil their potential."

Today’s launch follows a successful pilot which ran in Birmingham this year which 50 young people took part in, with many going on to an apprenticeship or to gain employment.

Eight weeks after the traineeships completed 50% had received job offers or offers of a further work placement.

The traineeship is designed by the BBC Academy and the Tech Partnership and includes five weeks of training in:

· Basic digital skills - such as planning social media campaigns by deconstructing BBC 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, English and Maths

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

These companies are being sourced with the help of the Tech Partnership, the Federation of Small Businesses, the National Apprenticeship Service and other partners at a local level. Those who show strong potential will be encouraged to apply for a BBC Apprenticeship.