.@BBC Get in to Media scheme offers opportunities to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The BBC Academy’s New Talent team is partnering with talent specialists, MyKindaFuture to launch a mentoring scheme called Get In to Media.  The scheme is for young people in Years 12 and 13 (sixth form) and will accompany them as they progress in their final years of school. 

The scheme is aimed at schools in London and Manchester who have a high proportion of BAME and socio-economically deprived young people who are looking for a chance to find out more about a Media Career and would benefit from some further advice, training, mentoring and work experience.

This 18 month scheme starts with “Discovery Days” in London (Friday 12^th October) and Salford (Wednesday 10^th October) during which young people, who have been referred by their teachers, get the chance to mix with BBC employees.

These Discovery Days have been designed not only to assess young people, but to give them an insight into a Media Career.  Those young people who are successful following the Discovery Days will progress on to the scheme while any unsuccessful candidates will be given access to MyKindaFuture’s connect service allowing them to engage with useful careers advice and information.

Claire Paul, BBC Director of Leadership Development and New Talent says:

“This programme is part of the BBC’s mission to reinvent ourselves for the next generation. It offers unique opportunities for young people from the broadest range of backgrounds to secure a future career with the BBC. We hope to see them all applying for our Apprenticeships in two years’ time. ”

MyKindaFuture are emerging talent specialists in the UK, who raise skills and aspirations of more than 80,000 young people aged 11-25 years old each year.

Will Akerman, Founder & MD, MyKindaFuture says:

“MyKindaFuture are incredibly proud to partner with the BBC Academy in launching the new Get Into Media programme. The initiative will engage young people in London and Manchester through face to face and digital activity, combining BBC’s expertise and our networks.

“Together we’ll be able to impact the lives of those young people who don’t already have access to the invaluable careers networks that their peers do, and in doing so, we can really start to take a practical step towards levelling the playing field. We look forward to empowering a diverse mix of young people and helping them to realise their full potential.”