Broadcast engineer : Entry requirements

Most broadcast engineers enter as trainees. The great majority of new entrants are graduates, but entry as a trainee is possible with an HNC/HND/foundation degree/degree in the following subjects:

• electrical engineering;
• electronic engineering;
• broadcast engineering.

Entry is also possible for graduates from other disciplines if they have strong numeracy as shown by good A-levels (or equivalent) in maths and/or physics. In this instance, an active interest in and aptitude for technology is paramount.

Some companies may recruit trainees with a minimum of an AVCE (advanced vocational certificate of education) in engineering or equivalent. An Access qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain degree-level courses. If you are experienced in a related field, you may be able to gain recognition of skills through accredited prior learning (APL), but check with individual colleges and universities for exact requirements.

If you are already working in broadcasting (e.g. as a runner) you may be able to move into this role via internal training schemes. It is also possible to progress to this level through entry as a technician and part-time training.

Postgraduate qualifications are not required but can help you gain experience of the industry. Pre-entry experience, usually in student broadcasting, unpaid work experience with a production company or in local television, is very important.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

• experience in electronic engineering and using communication equipment;
• sufficient colour vision and hearing;
• the ability to apply digital (and analogue) theory, and work from diagrammatic information;
• excellent IT skills;
• the ability to work well in teams;
• effective people skills;
• the capacity to solve technical problems in a creative way.

Be prepared to be persistent in approaching producers, directors and other industry contacts. Use directories such as The Knowledge , Media UK  and the PACT Directory of Independent Producers  for addresses and named contacts. Although it is important for you to show your enthusiasm, employers will be more concerned with your knowledge, insight or experience of the industry.

It is important to prepare well before asking for pre-entry work experience. Reading publications like Broadcast  and The Guardian  (media section on Mondays) can help you learn more about the industry. See the BBC Work Experience  website and the jobs page on the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)  website for details about work experience opportunities.

Although job prospects for experienced, well-qualified people can be good, searching for jobs can be very challenging early on. The BBC is virtually the only employer with a graduate entry scheme.

The broadcasting sector has a number of initiatives to promote careers in the industry to under-represented groups, in particular ethnic minorities. The BBC has made a strong commitment to a policy of equality and diversity, which covers all aspects of its business, including recruitment. However, many factors, such as the need to travel frequently, the unstructured nature of recruitment, and the often unsocial hours, make it a difficult area for some applicants to enter.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.