Want to work in factual and entertainment TV production? Apply for Aim High now!
Date Posted: November 16, 2021
AIM HIGH, the entrant level training programme for aspiring factual and entertainment TV producers, is now open for applications. Northern Ireland Screen and BBC Northern Ireland are looking for motivated, passionate storytellers to take part in this prestigious training scheme.
Applicants do not need any specific experience or qualifications to apply, so if you have a story to tell, fresh ideas for programme-making and fancy a career in factual and entertainment TV, apply now.
We welcome applications from anyone regardless of their sex; religious or similar philosophical belief; political opinion; race; age; sexual orientation; or, whether they are single, married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled; or whether they have undergone, are undergoing or intend to undergo gender reassignment.
There are 10 places available for an 18-month contract (Real Living Wage) with the opportunity to work on national and international television projects. Successful candidates will be trained for a career in the media and will be assigned a senior industry mentor. At times applicants will be expected to work unconventional hours and to tight deadlines. Previous participants have worked on factual and entertainment projects such as The One Show, Mastermind, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and The Paddy Raff Show, to name just a few.
Applicants will initially be invited to complete an online assessment. This will include pitching a factual or entertainment idea from an assigned brief that can be presented as a written document, audio recording or video (whichever method you are most comfortable using). The pitch will be scored purely on the content and idea, not the quality of the presentation. From there, shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an assessment centre where they will be evaluated in both team and individual tasks.
The best 15 candidates from the assessment centre will go on to complete an intensive two-week training boot camp where they will be introduced to the craft of storytelling for national and international television production.
At the end of the boot camp, the 10 candidates showing the most potential will be placed on the Aim High scheme and will undertake a series of placements in a variety of factual and entertainment independent production companies and BBC Northern Ireland.
The 5 candidates who don’t secure a position on the scheme will still be provided with invaluable training from the very best of Northern Ireland’s factual and entertainment sector talent. This training will set candidates up for a career in the factual and entertainment sector and they will remain on Northern Ireland Screen’s radar for future trainee positions.
Richard Williams, CEO of Northern Ireland Screen said: “Aim High has been a transformative way of attracting and retaining new talent within the factual and entertainment TV sector in Northern Ireland. The scheme is held in very high esteem within the production community, it produces some of the most creative new talent the sector has seen in years.
“We are strongly committed to promoting and creating diversity and inclusion to attract the best people from all backgrounds. Our ambition is to remove obstacles to people applying for the scheme and to ensure representation from all groups of people is reflected in workplaces. We look forward to seeing the creative vision and innovation the next cohort of Aim High trainees bring with them.”
Peter Johnston, Director, BBC Northern Ireland said: “Through our well-established partnership, the BBC and Northern Ireland Screen are committed to finding and nurturing the content makers of tomorrow. Since its inception, this scheme has successfully provided opportunities for young people to develop within our creative industry and I am looking forward to seeing what new talent Aim High attracts in this latest phase.”
The deadline for applications is Friday 7th January 2022 at 5pm.
For more information and to apply visit the Skills section on our website.
