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BBC Studios Drama Productions

Employer of the Year

West Midlanders are developing careers in the TV industry thanks to BBC Studios Drama, which has won the ‘Employer of the Year’ Award at the national Get the Nation Learning Awards. Through its initiatives, learners have landed roles with shows such as Father Brown, Sister Boniface, and Silent Witness.

BBC Studios Drama’s commitment to workforce development was celebrated at the Barbican in London, the striking location for the inaugural Get the Nation Learning Awards. The awards sit within Get the Nation Learning Week, the highpoint of the Get the Nation Learning campaign, led by Learning and Work Institute and supported by the likes of BFI and Make UK.

The ‘Employer of the Year’ Award, sponsored by NOCN, was given to BBC Studios Drama for its work to not only support learners to secure jobs but also helping them progress in their careers in the long term. Through its ‘West Midlands Juniors’ project, launched in 2024, over 80% have progressed to further roles. This commitment is set to expand in 2025 with 53 additional training opportunities and roles from Art Trainee to Junior Production Manager up for grabs. Participants also get pastoral care, specialised workshops and mental health sessions.

Improving access to opportunity is a big focus for BBC Studios Drama in the West Midlands; it actively engages underrepresented groups through targeted outreach, and provides early careers outreach to over 20 schools, reaching over 600 students. BBC Studios Drama also works in close partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority, winning the Workplace Learning Champion Award in their Adult Learning Awards 2025, and BritAsia.

The Get the Nation Learning Awards panel was impressed by its positive impact not just on the lives of individuals but also on the TV industry in the West Midlands, ensuring a sustainable talent pipeline.

With over 100 supporters, the Get the Nation Learning campaign seeks to spotlight the benefits of lifelong learning on society and the economy. The awards are an important part of this, shining a light on people and organisations getting the nation learning and recognising examples of adult learning that support healthier futures, stronger communities, more opportunities, regional growth, and richer lives.

Deborah Sathe, Senior Production Creative Director, BBC Studios Drama, said:
“BBC Studios Drama is honoured to accept an award for work it has always been so passionate about. Training the future is key to our success on all our shows, and providing opportunities for new talent is a privilege. To be awarded for recognition of our work in the West Midlands is the icing on the cake. None of this would have happened without our Training Executive Kris Green, his team, and the generosity of our production teams working in the West Midlands.”

Graham Hasting-Evans, Chief Executive at NOCN, sponsors of the award, said:
“At NOCN Group, we believe that lifelong learning and upskilling are not just economic imperatives, they are social ones. Our mission is to ensure that every individual, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to the right skills solutions to thrive in a changing world. Initiatives like BBC Studios’ outreach in the West Midlands show how targeted engagement can transform lives and industries. By working collaboratively across sectors, we can build a sustainable talent pipeline that reflects the diversity and potential of our communities.”

Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of Learning and Work Institute, said:
“Employers play a crucial role in ensuring people have the opportunity to learn throughout life and progress in their careers, as well as supporting the Government’s growth targets. BBC Studios is a brilliant example of how this can be done, unlocking talent and promoting inclusivity in an industry as competitive as the TV and film industry so that no one is left behind.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority, said:
“The BBC’s innovative approach to work experience gives young people a real-world taste of what it is like to work in the creative sector, which is growing fast in our region.

“Providing more opportunities for young people to take part in practical and useful work experience will help tackle unemployment, and that’s why it’s an essential part of my ‘Jobs for Everyone’ mission. This is how we equip young people with the skills and insight they need to secure meaningful work and enjoy rewarding careers.”