7 minute read
Jamal Edwards MBE gets in tune with apprenticeships
from Future Focus
Department for Education and Jamal Edwards MBE join forces with seven apprentices to create new track “The Calling” by P Money
Apprentice track and music video celebrates opportunity on offer through apprenticeships
he Department T for Education has today announced the release of “The Calling”, an exclusive new track and music video from grime artist P Money made in collaboration with seven apprentices and SBTV founder, Jamal Edwards MBE.
The project, which forms part of the Department for Education’s wider Fire It Up apprenticeships campaign, is designed to showcase apprentice talent and the diverse range of opportunities that apprenticeships offer, beyond those that might traditionally be associated with this career route.
SUPPORTED You can watch the music video on Jamal’s SBTV YouTube channel and stream the track on Spotify.
The production of the track has been supported by apprentices from professions including drone engineering, sound and video production, lighting and hair & make-up. It features grime artist P Money, whose lyrics are inspired by his own experience of starting out in his career and reflect the spark, energy and determination of apprentices. Jamal Edwards is the executive producer for the video, which is produced by Teddy Music. Gemmaine Walsh, Director of
YOUNG Communications Group, Depart” “ Three ‘making of’ videos, which show apprentices in action, can be viewed at the bottom of the page. The first is about the recording of the track, and features Clara Kheradmandi, a 21-year old broadcast operator apprentice at the BBC. The second shows appren - tices working together to promote the track, including 19-year old Shola West, a digital marketing apprentice at Whitehat and 24-year old Tafadzwa Muchenje, a social media apprentice at Channel 4. Nathan Dickson, 21, Associate Network Engineer ment for Education says: “Jamal’s success building SBTV into one of the UK’s most well-known music brands shows what can be achieved when you follow your passion and choose a path different from the norm. His authenticity will resonate with both young people and business owners in helping us engage with some of the people that we really want to talk to. FREEDOM “This partnership will prove invaluable as we aim to show the breadth of opportunities apprenticeships can offer to everyone in the UK.” Jamal Edwards MBE says: “There’s still an assumption that you can only do apprenticeships in trades like plumbing and construction. apprentice at BT, built and configThat view really needs to be reured the drone to drop a preview versed, and I hope this track and of the track at a launch party at accompanying films will help get Wilberforce College in Hull. the message out there.
The third episode shows the “It’s been incredible to be given making of the music video and the creative freedom to produce features 21-year old production something like this. I am really assistant apprentice Lilly Hudson, excited to be able to be part of this 18-year old electrical apprentice project and work with this talentKatie Harvey and 18-year old ed group of apprentices, share my hair professional apprentice, Kacy network, and help fire them up for Ruff. the future.”
For more information on the partnership, take a look at: www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/thecalling Fire It Up on Facebook, the Fire It Up Apprenticeships YouTube channel, follow @Apprenticeships on Twitter and the National Apprenticeship Service on LinkedIn to keep up to date.
You’ll also find more on the partnership here:
https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/thecalling
Videos 1. Making of video one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTHV4nCML8A 2. Making of video two - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4BkHm7OYEw 3. Track - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9L4mb6C_OI
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By Paige Neal-Holder
No at all
I had never actually envisioned myself as being a journalist!
It wasn’t really a caT reer choice for me before I began this apprenticeship because I had no idea what it c o u l d offer. And never, in a million years would I have expected to bag a job at the BBC as an 18 yearold. Especially as a woman of colour.
University really didn’t tickle my fancy, but I’d always been interested in going into media, so when I saw the Digital Journalism Apprenticeship scheme being advertised, I thought “oh go on then.” I had nothing to lose, so there was no harm in applying!
And the thing is, I had no experience. As in, none at all. Unless you count the one time I wrote a sentence in my school’s newsletter – pretty much gave Huw Edwards a run for his money if you ask me.
I did however, have enthusiasm and a bold attitude to working hard, which stays true to this day.
The BBC weren’t looking for a super qualified and experienced person, they were looking for potential and someone true to themselves. So my biggest advice for anyone trying to get into journalism is don’t try and change yourselves. Stay true to who you are! Be unique!
Some of the opportunities…
Through the apprenticeship I’ve been able to do some pretty cool things. I’ve always loved the idea of presenting and reporting, both of which I’ve been able to do, and I’ve also been able to create some digital videos, such as when I filmed and interviewed Tim Peake, the British Astronaut.
I’ve also rediscovered my love for writing, as I’ve been able to have quite a few of my own articles published – in fact I even got my first article published within my first two weeks at the BBC.
Another one of my highlights of the scheme so far was having my first radio package aired on Vanessa Felt’s breakfast show. I think it’s fair to say the apprenticeship has given me many amazing opportunities!
But, it’s not all just about the work and journalism side of things. The apprenticeship also gives you some great friends and jokes memories.
Some of us got so close, we even booked a holiday to visit Venice!
I mean, we did have to spend three months straight in Wolverhampton training at college together, so us apprentices kind of had no choice but to like each other… they’re alright I guess.
Now I can’t lie, the apprenticeship can get very challenging and tiring at times, but that’s when you can turn to the friends you’ve made on the scheme and get them to cheer you up.
You really do go through a rollercoaster of emotions together which sometimes resorted to deep chats over a couple of cans of gin - but it does bring you together and you do end up with some amazing friends. (Quick shout out to my work wife Susie who always helps me when I have a problem editing a video.)
What am I doing now?
At the moment, I’m with my main placement based with the Family and Education department. They’ve helped made me feel really welcome,
and I’m starting to consider what my next steps will be once I finish the scheme.
So far, I’ve sat all of my exams, and am yet to complete my End Point Assessment so that I can fully complete my apprenticeship.
Being an apprentice has been really good for me – it’s really helped me learn things about myself, as well learning on the job and developing my journalistic skills.
I’ve only got about 4 months left on this scheme, so I’m pretty much just going to be working as hard as I can so that it will all be worth it when I wear my cap and gown at my graduation!
