BBC Production Trainee Scheme

The BBC Production Trainee Scheme will be open for applications from 1st to 14th March 2011.

Trainees complete an 18 month programme, with training and placements in radio, TV and online broadcasting.

The Beeb have stressed that they want students from all academic disciplines to apply - visit www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/pts for more details.

Finance Insight Course for Disabled Students

From an email sent by EmployAbility:

The Financial Services Authority has partnered with EmployAbility for a 3 Day Insight Programme this summer.

The FSA offers a three day programme to first year undergraduates designed to give a full overview of their multi-faceted work. The Insight will combine a mixture of networking with graduates and business representatives, case studies to give students an insight into the work of the FSA and skills sessions to help them succeed in the assessment process.

Requirements

To apply for the programme undergraduates will need to:

• be a first year undergraduate.
• have 300 UCAS points or more.
• submit the short application form
• have a short telephone interview, demonstrating a motivation for a career in regulation. They will be informed shortly afterward if successful in obtaining a place on the programme.

If there are extenuating circumstances which may have affected grades, this must be clearly stated on the form and/ or EmployAbility contacted for further information.

Apply now

The completed application form must be returned to applications@employ-ability.org.uk by 20^th February, 2011.

Please contact Justin Penney on 07776 090 508, info@employ-ability.org.uk should the form be required in an alternative format or for any questions.

Fancy a Career on the Telly?

The Network is the charitable arm of the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival and provides the opportunity to attend four days of FREE training in Edinburgh preparing delegates for a career in television.

The Network takes place between 25 and 28 August 2011. Highlights from last year include a masterclass with writer and creator of Shameless, Paul Abbott, a research workshop with Charlie Brooker and the team behind Would I Lie To You? and masterclasses from Putul Verma, Series Producer, Dragons’ Den and Jay Hunt, Chief Creative Officer, Channel 4.

All the people involved are passionate about passing on their skills and insights to those starting their career in television

The Network has helped to launch hundreds of TV careers.

With the exception of travel to and from Edinburgh, everything else, from accommodation and food to the actual workshops, is entirely free. Applications open on February 14 2011 and applications are sought via our website at www.mgeitf.co.uk/thenetwork. Applicants can save their application form and come back to it as many times as they like until the closing date - 15 April 2011.

Note: This is a shortened version of an email we received from The Network

Jobsites in Scotland

If you are looking for work North of the Border, here are some sites you may find useful:

• www.s1jobs.com
  
• www.scottishjobs.com
• www.monsterscotland.co.uk
• www.stvjobs.com
• www.myjobscotland.gov.uk

Large Retail Employers Don't Want CVs...

...according to the input of Retail Sector members of the Association of Graduate Recruiters at a meeting with Careers Advisers' representatives last month.

They felt it is particularly important to understand that larger companies only have an online application system and do not accept CVs.

A “Please see my CV” response to questions on the online application has been a recurrent problem for them. Recruiters also say that the questions asked on applications should be approached just as intensively as an interview question.

In particular Asda has noted that despite receiving 4,000 applications online, many were of poor quality and the company is still recruiting.

Ever heard of a Support Time and Recovery Worker?

Talking of opportunities that are not well-covered on standard careers websites, etc., have you any idea what a Support Time and Recovery Worker does?

Basically, it is an NHS role involved with mental health patients in a support and advocacy role.

You can find more details on the appropriate section of the NHS Careers website.

Completing Application Forms

Surprisingly little material seems now to be around on the subject of completing application forms. It is as if a lot of the big Careers websites have decided to rely on the fact that many large companies produce their own guidelines.

Fortunately, the University of Cumbria has found its own solution in the form of a voiceover presentation narrated by myself and my colleague Joanne Watson. You can view it at https://stream.cumbria.ac.uk/ap/careers/AppForms/index.html (n.b. answer 'no' if you get a security warning on the way in.)

The result is unlikely to draw the interest of Holywood producers but it does give you a decent guide to the business of filling in those pesky forms!

Big Changes to PGCE Bursaries for Trainee Teachers...

were announced by the Government last week.

For September 2011, TDA (Training and Development Agency) bursaries will only be available for those studying for PGCE/PGDE in shortage Secondary subjects:-

• Physics, Chemistry, Engineering and Mathematics will attract a bursary of £9,000
  
• Biology, Combined/General Science and Foreign Languages will attract a bursary of £6,000

This effectively withdraws the bursary for Primary PGCE courses, although the number of course places will rise slightly to reflect the increasing number of primary pupils.

There will also be a big increase in places on the "Teach First" programme, whereby graduates can gain teaching experience without first gaining a qualification.