Extend, the BBC work placement scheme exclusively for disabled people is now open for applications. This year the scheme will offer over 20 exciting placements across both programme making and professional services departments in the BBC, including News, Factual, Audio & Music and Entertainment.
Extend offers appropriately experienced or qualified disabled people the fantastic opportunity of a six month placement at the BBC. The national scheme aims to enable talented people with disabilities to gain real work experience and to improve their opportunities of securing further employment within the media industry.

Applications can be made for specific placements and candidates will be shortlisted and interviewed as for any other BBC job. Applicants are recruited according to their talent, potential and passion for broadcasting and are supported by workshops and mentoring during their placements.

Last year Extend enjoyed great success with two-thirds of the year’s recruits going on to secure further work within the BBC. The scheme also won the Personnel Today Award for Diversity in the Workplace, beating off competition from the Metropolitan Police Service, Asda and British Gas amongst others.

There are success stories from right across the BBC. Will Carrodus had a six month placement in BBC Sport which led to a position with the BBC London 2012 Project Team.
Chris Garvey had a successful placement within Procurement which has led to an extension in the same department.

The scheme is run by the College of Leadership, BBC Academy, and funded corporately as one of a number of BBC workforce diversity initiatives. Anne Morrison, Director BBC Academy said: “It is hugely important to the BBC and the wider broadcast industry to increase the number of disabled people in the workplace. I am very proud of the good work done by Extend.”

For more information on the placements available and advice on how to apply, visit www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/extend. The closing date for applications is 6th April 2010.
For more details contact Olivia Loughnan, Marketing & Communications Manager, BBC Academy
Email olivia.loughnan@bbc.co.uk
Tel 020 8752 6887