BBC Open Music Trainee – Technical Production

Job Title: BBC Open Music Trainee – Technical Production

Start date: 04 May 2026

End date: 30 October 2026

Scheme duration: 20 days across 6 months – this will be a mixture of weekday and weekends.

Salary: £25,000 (plus travel expenses where applicable)

Location: Open to everyone in the UK. Training and development opportunities will mainly happen in London and Salford with travel paid for those not based in these areas

Deadline for applications: Sunday 01 March 2026, 23:59

WHAT IS BBC OPEN MUSIC?

Passionate about radio? Curious about classical music? Whether you’ve considered working at the BBC or not thought about it until now, BBC Open Music is here to help you find out if this could be your path. 

BBC Open Music is a training and development scheme which brings together creatives, musicians and aspiring radio or technical producers from all genres, backgrounds and regions across the UK. It’s designed to help you build new skills, spark fresh ideas, and explore collaboration within orchestral and classical music broadcasting at the BBC.

WHY JOIN THE SCHEME?

The BBC Open Music trainee scheme will offer a paid 6-month training and development programme focusing on either Radio & Live Events Production (creating music radio programmes) or Technical Production (sound recording and engineering).

Trainees will take part in 20 paid training & development days spread over 6 months (a combination of weekend and weekdays) including the following:

• Time with a matched mentor at the BBC – including BBC radio production staff and sound engineers working on programmes and events at the BBC
• Opportunities including masterclasses, training days specific to Radio and Live Events Production or Technical Production, and hands-on experience to gain new skills with BBC Radio 3, the Proms and BBC Conecrt Orchestra
• A chance to network, build contacts and form relationships across Radio & Music at the BBC
• Gain live event experience through working with BBC teams on music radio productions, including a BBC Concert Orchestra collaboration for BBC Radio 3’s Friday Night is Music Night

BBC Open Music is offering opportunities in both Technical Production and Radio and Live Events Production.  We can only accept an application from each individual for one pathway.  Here is detail of what you could expect from working in the Technical Production area.

Technical Production 

If you want to learn about the technical side of radio broadcasting then the Technical Production traineeship could suit you the best. Types of things you could get involved in might be:

• Operating studio and gallery equipment, including mixing desks and audio routing systems
• Supporting live output by monitoring levels, signal flow, and broadcast quality
• Editing and preparing audio using industry‑standard tools
• Setting up and maintaining equipment for both studio and location recordings
• Troubleshooting technical issues to keep programmes on‑air
• Working with production teams to deliver smooth, high‑quality technical output

To find more information about the Radio and Events Production Pathway click here. 

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Who would we like to hear from? 

There are 15 trainee roles available for individuals over the age of 18 (on 1st May 2026) from across the UK. We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. We welcome and encourage applications from those who are under-represented in the radio and music sector. This includes individuals from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds, people who are deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent people, and people from working class backgrounds.

Eligibility

• Be 18 years old or over by the time the traineeship begins in May 2026
• Be legally eligible to work full-time in the UK for the entire duration of the traineeship

You don’t need formal qualifications or any experience working in radio or classical music to apply – you just need to have a curiosity for exploring what a career in this area might look like. Open Music could be a great fit if you:

For all applicants: 

• Have a desire to learn and explore whether classical music broadcasting at the BBC could be the right path for you
• Have a passion for sharing music with others
• Demonstrate an excitement to collaborate with others, particularly with other BBC Open Music trainees and teams across BBC Radio and Music

For those looking to be considered for the Technical Production pathway:

• Would like to explore ways you could develop your career as a technical producer
• Demonstrate a passion for capturing music using current technologies, combined with the creative side of music production

HOW TO APPLY

The most important thing to remember when applying is that we are looking for your potential. We can only accept one application per candidate, so please choose either the Radio Production or Technical Production pathway based on which best reflects your strengths and interests.

First, you will complete an application form to help us get to know you a bit better. Just click ‘Apply Now’​ to create a candidate profile and answer a few questions – no CV or cover letter needed.

If your application demonstrates some of the qualities we’re looking for then you will be invited to a short online interview. We hope to let you know the final outcome of your application by Tuesday 17 March. Interviews will take place on 24 – 26 March 2026 and will take place online.

If you require any reasonable adjustments in order to apply (e.g. submitting your application in an alternative format), please contact us at openmusic@bbc.co.uk.

For more information, visit bbc.co.uk/openmusic