Interview with an apprentice – Jesse Edwards

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2020 we’ve interviewed 5 of our past apprentices who have achieved success in their careers following their apprenticeship. Our third interviewee of the series is Jesse Edwards.

Name:                                     Jesse Edwards
Age:                                         22
From:                                      Ebbw Vale
Apprentice Employer:        BBC Radio Wales
Apprentice Job Title:          New Talent Apprentice

What were you doing prior to the apprenticeship?

Prior to the apprenticeship, I was working as a welder.

Why did you want to do the apprenticeship?

I wanted this apprenticeship because it was the first step towards a career that I wanted to pursue.

What did the apprentice job entail?

My Apprentice job entailed me being a researcher across the whole of Daytime on Radio Wales.

What programmes/projects did you work on?

During the apprenticeship I was finding new contributors and content for segments such as ’3 IN 30’ and ‘HOW TO’ on the Wynne Evans Show. I was also:

• Working on Wales’ leading Phone-In Show as a Researcher, booking guests and writing briefs and scripts under very strict time restraints.

• Working in studio across all the daytime programmes (Phone-In, Wynne Evans and Eleri Siôn), keeping timings and making sure things run as smoothly as possible in the studio whilst we are on air.

• Answering phones on the weekends for shows such as Money for Nothing and Carol Vorderman.

Did you face any difficulties whilst doing your apprenticeship?

I faced quite a few difficulties during my apprenticeship, from organising workloads to impostor syndrome. I managed to get over my difficulties through the desire I had not to fail and lose the opportunity I was given.

What happened when you completed your apprenticeship?

When I completed my apprenticeship I continued to work with Radio Wales across all the programmes.

Have you changed/grown as a result of the apprenticeship?

As a result of the apprenticeship I have grown as a person and become a more confident, rounded individual.

What is the next career step for you?

There are plans for me to be trained in continuity over the summer. But my next step is to get a contract with BBC Radio Wales and hopefully build my network of contacts in the future.