BBC launches Journalism Talent Pool

The BBC is to launch a new initiative, the Journalism Talent Pool, which aims to improve diversity in the Corporation’s newsrooms.

The pilot project aims to identify suitable candidates, separate from any specific recruitment process, whose experience would add to the range and depth of the BBC’s new output.

The project will launch on 15 September 2008 when a dedicated website goes live.

BECTU has given its support to the project, not least because the BBC has confirmed that it will not damage the prospects of existing staff at risk of redundancy who are seeking redeployment.

Paul Deal, a former senior broadcast journalist in Radio, is now working in the BBC’s College of Journalism as Manager of the Journalism Recruitment Project.

Paul Deal explains the aims of the project: “The plan is to advertise inside and outside the BBC for experienced, working journalists who would be interested in being considered for vacancies in Wales, Yorkshire, East Midlands or two areas of BBC News: the Multimedia Newsroom and 1Xtra News.

“The pilot scheme will also be open to BBC casuals. We hope that, through their social or ethnic background, or perhaps through their insights into disability, the people who pass our assessment process will help us to reach out to our many and varied audiences.

“Those who succeed at the assessment stage would be invited to join the Journalism Talent Pool. When vacancies for broadcast journalists crop up in the pilot areas, the people in the pool would compete with candidates who might have applied directly.

“It would be down to individual editors to choose the strongest candidate although, in line with existing agreements, employees at risk of redundancy would be given priority consideration.”

The BBC will offer support and encouragement for journalists in the pool with expert advice on how to perform well at a BBC interview. Those admitted to the pool will also have access to College of Journalism courses and seminars.

Mark Byford, the BBC’s Deputy Director General, has said: “Improving our ethnic diversity is a key priority, but we are also keenly aware of the importance of diversity in terms of gender, age, disability and social background.

“I hope this new project is going to attract fresh and exciting talent to strengthen our news teams in Wales, Yorkshire, East Midlands and London.”

The launch of the pilot scheme will coincide with recruitment for the second Journalism Trainee Scheme an opportunity launched after Move on Up News in 2007, an event organised by BECTU, working with the NUJ, which received substantial support from the BBC.

Organisers of the scheme have decided to recruit fewer trainees for the 2008 intake but the scheme will run for 12 months instead of six.