Ignite

Launch a future behind-the-screens

Fresh out of sixth form or college? This is the Content Academy programme for you.

Choose a placement and over the next 12 months you’ll experience everything it has to offer, rotating through four different teams before choosing where to spend your last four months.

The hours can be unusual, and the work hard, but it’s an opportunity for experiences like no other. Setting up sound for Soccer AM, manning the autocue for the evening news, greenlighting great new shows – there’s no telling what you could find yourself doing, or who with, so strap in. It’s going to be an exciting ride.

The placements

Sky Sports

“When you’re dealing with a live production, the days are planned out, but you never know what’s actually going to happen…”

You might be at the O2 shooting an Anthony Joshua fight on Monday, and servicing camera equipment for 8 hours on Tuesday. You might be assisting on Soccer AM’s live show with a call time of 5.45am on Saturday after a late night rehearsal the day before. No two days at Sky Sports are the same, but you’ll pick up skills and gain experiences that will set you up for success.

Your rotations could include:

• Junior Journalist
• Junior Assistant Producer
• Junior Social Media/Video Producer
• Assistant Editor
• MSO- Multi Skilled Operator, Scheduling and Administration.

Eligibility: If you are a graduate or are currently completing a degree, check out our Creative Access or Mama Youth opportunities. The Ignite programme is aimed at anyone aged 18 or over by September 2021 that is not currently studying at university or a graduate.
Applications for this programme have now closed for 2021.

Sky News

“News changes quickly, so people need to adapt to the fast-changing news environment.”

News is a live, ever-evolving world. Especially at Sky. To do well on a Sky News placement, you’ll need a hunger for journalism and the ability to change direction when news stories break. In return, you’ll get a taste for breaking big news stories, and the chance to work with an experienced team of journalists to develop your own skills.

Your rotations could include:

• Junior Journalist
• Junior Audio/Podcast Producer
• Runner
• Junior Floor Manager
• Junior Digital Producer
• Junior Technical Operator (gallery, sound, autocue).

Eligibility: If you are a graduate or are currently completing a degree, check out our Creative Access or Mama Youth opportunities. The Ignite programme is aimed at anyone aged 18 or over by September 2021 that is not currently studying at university or a graduate.
Applications for this programme have now closed for 2021.

Sky Studios

“Every show has its own timeline as it’s going through preparation, shoot, post-production… they all have a different rhythm you’ll get to experience.”

A placement at Sky Studios gives you the unique opportunity to see how shows are made from start to finish. It’s a busy production environment, where you’ll meet lots of people and get to try out a huge range of things. You could be a runner, collecting talent and bringing them to set, or helping set up the makeup table. You could be in the office checking the spend on extras, or helping to negotiate deals and contracts for bespoke commissioned music. Whatever you’re doing, you’ll be getting invaluable experience that will help you launch a successful career.

Your rotations could include roles as a:

• Music Assistant
• Production Assistant
• Virtual Production Assistant
• Editorial Assistant.

Eligibility: If you are a graduate or are currently completing a degree, check out our Creative Access or Mama Youth opportunities. The Ignite programme is aimed at anyone aged 18 or over by September 2021 that is not currently studying at university or a graduate.
Applications for this programme have now closed for 2021.

Support

Training & development

Perks

What to expect when you apply

Support content

Ignite will push you to your potential, but you won’t be on your own. As well as the support of your team and your manager, we’ll give you a buddy to provide a helping hand and guide you through all things Sky. The Early Careers team will regularly check in with you and we’ll also invite you to events where you’ll meet other people on the Sky Ignite programme (as well as those programmes in other areas). These events will give you the chance to meet role models from across the business.

What to expect content

Register

This is the easy part, when you apply simply register your details and provide your academic information. That’s all there is to it.

If you need any adjustments for any stage of the process, make sure to let us know when you register and one of our team will be in touch to discuss.

Digital assessments

First you’ll complete five questions, this is so we can really understand your motivations to join the programme and how well our strengths fit with what you’ll need in the role.

If successful, you’ll then be invited to a video interview where we’ll be exploring your motivations and strengths in more detail. You’ll be 121 with an assessor.

Ready to go? Here are some hints and tips to get you started:
• Find somewhere quiet where you won’t get distracted
• It might help to turn off your phone or keep it on silent
• Open a new browser window or close any tabs you aren’t currently using
• Have a pen and paper to hand in case you want to write notes
• Get camera ready. Make sure you’re in a tidy, well-lit space with good internet connection. And of course, test your audio and webcam to check that they’re working fine. We’ll give you some more instructions to help you get set up
• We know it might feel a little strange but try and treat the video interview like you would any interview. Dress comfortably, smile and keep focussed on the camera
• And finally, we’re excited to get to know you. Be yourself. Always provide answers that best represent you and what you would do in a given situation.

Assessment centre

For the final assessment stage, we’ll invite you to our digital assessment centre. You’ll get a feel for what it’s really like to work at Sky.

It’s normal to be nervous but we’re on hand to help you along the way. To prepare, do your research about Sky and come ready to demonstrate your skills and passion. Think about what’s motivated you to apply to work here. We’re keen to hear more about you.

The day will be an immersive experience into the world of content at Sky, starting with a strengths-based interview followed by a written exercise, a role play and a work-through scenario based on real situations you may face in the role.

Once you’ve completed your assessment day, we’ll let you know when you can expect to hear back from us.

Any questions? Email us at earlycareers@sky.uk

Good luck!

Perks content

Perks

We’re all about content, so Now TV is a given. You’ll also get life insurance, pension and access to Sky Benefits platform. This includes health and wellbeing benefits e.g. dental insurance/gym memberships/cycle plan/health screening, lifestyle e.g. retail vouchers/season ticket loan for travelling.

Training & development

Training and development

You’ll pick up a lot during your rotations, but we’ll also help you develop some important career skills with formal training sessions. These will include:
• A central two-day induction
• Career coaching
• Looop and LinkedIn Learning
• Industry-leading skills sessions led by The Smarty Train
• Work hacks
• Managing change
• Creativity
• Communication and influence
• Plus a topic tailored to you