Apprentice nominated for National MPA Award

Emily Barr had no idea what she would accomplish when she made out her application for an apprenticeship at ITV’s Coronation Street, through Salford City College.

Now the 19-year-old is not only working in the heart of Media City UK, on the set of one of the country’s biggest soaps, but she has been nominated for a national award for the work she has put in, and all she has achieved since September last year.

The Salford City College apprentice, whose aspirations to work in the media as an Offline Editor brought her to the media capital of the country, has been nominated for the apprentice award at the Manchester Publicity Company (MPA) Awards.

Emily is up against four other apprentice’s, also from creative areas, but is the only person from ITV to be nominated an award this year.

Victoria Bradley-Smith, Operations Team Organiser for Coronation Street, who nominated Emily for the MPA said: “From day one Emily embraced the ITV core values and has helped create world-class content at Coronation Street. She continues to impress us with her knowledge and eagerness within her role to learn new processes and take on bigger responsibilities.

“I am confident to give her roles normally reserved for more senior edit assistants and believe that she will go far with her ambition to become a craft editor.”

Emily uprooted from her home in Portsmouth and moved 300 miles north for the role. She battled it out for the apprenticeship, having been chosen out of 200 applicants, and she couldn’t feel luckier about the where she has landed.

Emily said: “It’s the best experience I could ever dream of and I’ve been so lucky. Portsmouth to Salford is a long way and it was scary, but it’s so worth it for the right job. If it was easy to move everyone would be doing it, it just shows how passionate and committed you are to be willing to move and change your life.”

Salford City College offer a range of apprenticeship opportunities and partner with hundreds of employers. For more information contact their admissions team on 0161 631 5000.

The MPA’s will take place at The Midland Hotel on 19 October 2017.