Trafford College student lands dream job @BBCGetIn

TV and film student Hannah Seager has had a dream start to her career after gaining a place on the coveted BBC Apprenticeship Scheme.

The 20-year-old, who received a triple distinction* in her Level 3 Extended Diploma in TV and Film, beat more than 9,000 other applicants to land a job on the production team for Blue Peter.

“When I got the phone call I freaked a bit,” recalls Hannah. “But then it suddenly hit me that I’d got a job at the BBC, I couldn’t believe it!

“I felt like all the hard work I put into my final grade really had paid off and helped me with getting the job, I was very proud.”

The BBC Production Apprenticeship Scheme looks to recruit talented, creative people with their own ideas and perspectives who have the potential to become the lifeblood of the BBC and its programme-making teams.

The intensive application process started back in March when Hannah submitted her application form. After getting through the next stages of a video interview and an assessment day at BBC Birmingham, she was invited to a final stage interview at Media City.

“Ever since I enrolled on my TV and film at Trafford College, I’d wanted to do the BBC apprenticeship,” said Hannah. “I knew it was a competitive application process, so I wasn’t getting my hopes up when I finished my course.

“It was a long process, but definitely worth the wait!”

Creative media tutor Joe Evans said: “To say it’s competitive to get onto this apprenticeship scheme is a massive understatement.

“It’s been fantastic to see someone develop through the course, producing excellent work, achieving high grades, having the confidence to apply for something like this and getting a place.

“It’s a wonderful achievement and we wish Hannah every success in her promising media career.”

As part of Hannah’s coursework she directed and featured in a documentary entitled ‘My Mum: Character over Cancer’ which followed her own mum’s treatment for the disease.

“When I asked my mum if she wanted to part of the video I was 99% sure she would say no, so I assumed it would just be a brief idea,” recalls Hannah.

“But she was very keen on it as she wanted to show people it can be ok, even though you get poorly with treatment.

“You need a great centre character for viewers to stay focused on a documentary, and with her bubbly character I knew she would be someone people could relate to and break the stereotypes of people certain aspects of cancer.”

The BBC scheme will see Hannah gain invaluable hands-on experience working in the television industry, as well as receiving bespoke training from the BBC Academy.