Broadcast Assistants (known in the radio industry as 'BAs') support producers and presenters in making radio programmes. They handle the administration, help to plan programmes and provide technical support in the studio. Becoming a BA is a common starting point for a career in radio.

Administrative work usually involves:

• typing scripts
• keeping track of costs
• researching programmes
• booking guests, preparing their contracts and arranging payment
• producing programme logs and running orders
• archiving programme material
• arranging and sending out competition prizes
• booking studio time, facilities and equipment
• updating the programme or station website.

Studio production work can include:

• managing phone lines for phone-ins and competitions
• timing shows
• operating recording, editing and mixing equipment
• 'driving the desk' for pre-recorded or live programmes
• recording and editing programme trailers
• offering creative input, for example writing links or devising quiz questions.

Experienced broadcast assistants may take on some of the more 'high-profile' tasks, such as contributing programme ideas, interviewing guests or presenting part of a programme.

The work can vary widely from one station to the next and even from one programme to the next, with the main differences being between speech and music radio, and between live and pre-recorded radio.

Hours and Environment

As a broadcast assistant you will usually work long hours. This may include evenings, late nights and weekends depending on the programme you work on. You will often need to work overtime to meet deadlines.

You will work in offices and recording studios, usually as part of a small team including a producer, a presenter and possibly a researcher. You may have to travel to other parts of the UK to record interviews or as part of an outside broadcast team.

If you work in speech or news radio, you will often be asked to go out and collect short interviews (known as 'vox pops') from the general public.

Skills and Interests

To be a broadcast assistant, you need:

• creativity
• excellent administrative and organisational skills
• good written and spoken communication skills
• a flexible attitude
• good teamworking skills
• the ability to work on your own initiative
• a keen interest in radio and music or current affairs
• technical and computer skills
• the ability to plan, prioritise and work under pressure.

Entry

There are no standard qualifications for becoming a broadcast assistant. Employers are usually more interested in your personal qualities such as enthusiasm, common sense and initiative. The key is to gain practical experience and develop a network of contacts in the industry.

You can gain experience through:

• community, hospital or student radio - see the Community Media Association website for a list of local stations, and the Hospital Broadcasting Association site for a list of hospital stations

• paid or unpaid work experience – you can find placements through BBC Recruitment, or through the RadioCentre (for commercial radio)

• building a portfolio (known as a ‘showreel’) of productions you have worked on – you can sometimes get a 'foot in the door’ by sending your showreel CD on spec to radio stations and production companies.

Skillset Careers also offers advice on finding work experience (see Further Information below for contact details).

You may find it helpful to take a course in radio or media production. The most useful ones include practical skills and work placements (see Skillset’s website for details of industry-endorsed courses). Several colleges and universities offer the BTEC National Diploma in Media Production, City and Guilds diplomas, and HNDs, degrees and postgraduate courses. Check with course providers for entry requirements.

There are also some shorter courses in radio production skills, which may be available from local colleges and through community media schemes. These include:

• ABC Level 3 Awards in Talk Radio Broadcast Skills and Radio Production Skills
• NCFE Level 1 and 2 Certificates and Diplomas in Radio Production.

For news-based and factual radio, you may find it an advantage to have a background in journalism or research.

Training

On-the-job experience is a key part of your training. You may also take short courses in technical areas like ‘driving the desks’ or using particular recording and digital editing equipment.

If you work for the BBC, you will receive extensive training when you first start your job, and have access to a wide range of short courses in technical and production skills throughout your career.

Skillset and the British Film Institute jointly provide a database of media courses - see Skillset’s website for the database, and for information about how to fund your training as a media freelance.

Opportunities

The BBC is by far the largest radio employer in the UK, although competition for broadcast assistant jobs is fierce. Many BBC programmes are made by independent production companies, and the number of opportunities with independents is increasing. Opportunities in digital radio are growing, due to large media organisations (such as Channel 4) setting up new radio operations.

Because competition is strong, many people are prepared to work for free or on short-term contracts at first to build up their reputation. Commercial stations tend to recruit experienced presenters, producers or broadcast journalists, but will offer unpaid work for entry-level roles.

Many of the national networks are based in London, but most major towns and cities have local stations. The BBC also employs a significant number of staff in Manchester and other major regional cities in the UK.

Some jobs are advertised in national newspapers like the Guardian, the trade press and websites like the Radio Academy (see Further Information below). You may also find work by word of mouth through networking and contacts.

With experience, you could progress to become a radio producer, a music programmer or a technical studio manager. Some people later choose to move into television research or production.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

New broadcast assistants can start on £13,000 to £17,000 a year.
With experience, they could earn up to £25,000 a year.

These figures are based on employed rates over a full year. Freelance production assistants are usually paid a fee per contract, and they may experience gaps between contracts.

Freelance rates within the media vary widely and may be calculated on a daily or weekly basis.

Further information

18 Miller's Close
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near Bourne
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Tel: 01778 440025 5 Market Place
London
W1W 8AE
Tel: 020 7255 2010 PO Box 48305
London
W12 6YE The Workstation
15 Paternoster Row
Sheffield
S1 2BX
Tel: 0114 279 5219 The Radiocentre
77 Shaftsbury Avenue
London
W1D 5DU
Tel: 020 7306 2603 Prospect House
80-110 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1HB Tel: 08080 300 900 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Tel: 0808 100 8094 for Scotland