Many businesses need young talented people to support them online. If you are aged between 16-24 and unemployed or an employer looking for an extra pair of hands, the Make It Digital In Scotland Pilot could be for you!

The training was designed by the BBC Academy and the programme in Scotland has the added benefit of a recognised SQA qualification that can help trainees get a job – the National Progression Award in Enterprise and Employability.

The training will happen at Edinburgh College and colleges in Glasgow, Dumfries and Dundee as part of an 8 week course.  Participants will work with industry standard software and learn many new and exciting skills on the course including:

• Digital Storytelling
• Building a website
• Planning a social media campaign
• Shooting & editing a film
• Pitching your ideas

During the training, participants will also take part in a Radio 1 challenge based in London where the best entries will be shortlisted into the final recruitment stages for a year-long Radio 1 Apprenticeship. Trainees will also take part in projects and webcasts supported by the BBC.

In addition to enhancing their digital skills, participants will also learn about:

• Creating an online portfolio
• Business networking
• CV and interview tips
• Budgeting
• Project Management

After 4 weeks in College,  trainees will go on a 3-week work placement. The work placement will be in the local area and will be with an employer who is supporting the Make it Digital in Scotland Pilot. During the three week work placement participants will be set a task to design a social media campaign from an employer, returning to College in the final week to share their ideas and plan ahead for finding work.

The BBC Make it Digital in Scotland Pilot are also looking for employers who can provide a young person the opportunity to work on a social media project that will utilise and extend their skills and provide them with work experience.  There are no costs to the company – the young people will get a training allowance and travel expenses for the duration of the placement.

The overall aim of the programme is to create a new focus for the young people and their digital skills development and for them to see and understand how and where these skills are being used across Scottish business.

Key characteristics that would help the people interested in this course would be:

• Enthusiastic and motivated to get involved and work hard
• Enjoy working in new environments and with different people
• Stay engaged with tasks and committed to finish the course
• Be willing to get creative, as well as thinking logically
• Demonstrate a clear passion and interest for working in digital media
• Possibly have some experience or skills in digital work (social media, blogs, games)

Taking part in this programme does not affect benefits you may be on and those between 16 and 18 on the programme will receive £55 per week Training Allowance. Travelling expenses are also part of the support.

How to get involved

Contact your local Skills Development Scotland centre or Jobcentre Work Coach to find out how to apply for this course.
More information on this programme can be found at the BBC Make It Digital Traineeship web pages here.

If you are an organisation looking to take part in the project, contact David via David.Martin@sds.co.uk