The BBC Academy Podcast, presented by Ben Toone, talks to three graduates of the BBC’s Local Apprentice Scheme, Yasmin Ojo, Jayde Pearson and Talisha Johnson, who at the time of recording were preparing to graduate with a National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) accredited qualification.

Each Local Apprentice was placed at one of 45 local radio stations across the UK, where they gained experience of working in a busy newsroom and producing stories for their local audience. Over the fifteen month period of their apprenticeship they were given training in different areas of journalism including shorthand, story finding and production techniques.