October has seen inspiring success for two of our brilliant Level 5 Journalist apprentices who received accolades in the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards regional finals.
Amrit Singh Mann, from Sky News, won London’s ‘Higher Apprentice of the Year’, while the BBC’s Nayana Mena was highly commended in the same category for the South East.
The pair embarked on their apprenticeship programmes at PA Media Academy in September 2022 and have made a remarkable impact in their organisations already.
Amrit Singh Mann, Sky News
Amrit achieved a Distinction grade in his apprenticeship as well as being crowned this year’s NCTJ Apprentice of the Year. He is an ambassador for the NCTJ and his efforts have also been rewarded at the British Sikh Awards.
He currently works as a producer for Sky News crime reporter Martin Brunt, while also pitching his own stories which he presents and produces. He has a passion for telling stories about underrepresented communities.
Amrit says: “This win means a lot to me because I’ve put a lot of commitment and hard work into my apprenticeship.
“Without a doubt my off-the-job training at PA Media Academy was one of the highlights of my apprenticeship. I didn’t realise it so much then, but it was such an enjoyable experience. It felt like being back at school but with cooler teachers and classmates.
“And most importantly, I returned to the newsroom a more skilled, confident and all-round better journalist. The fantastic team at PA Media Academy did a superb job in making the whole process lots of fun — special shoutout to my tutor Sean Howe.”
Amrit rotated around almost every department at Sky News during his programme, including newsgathering, planning, output, podcast, radio, mobile and social.
He says: “The rotations helped me understand Sky’s overarching model in the newsroom and provided me with an opportunity to decide what roles I’d be interested in pursuing, and vice-versa. This is an experience no ordinary person gets so I’m grateful for it.
“Currently I am working as a specialist producer within the crime team, working directly with Sky’s crime correspondent Martin Brunt. Martin is one of the best in the business so it’s been a great opportunity for me to learn the craft from him. My job involves working on huge, legally difficult stories, so the court reporting and media law modules in particular have proven useful during this stint.”
Amrit is particularly proud of two stories that he pitched and produced have been shortlisted for the Asian Media Awards including an interview with the father of a murdered hip-hop star and a Sikh activist on an Indian hit list.
He has also fronted a couple of news pieces including the rise of influencer boxing and Punjabi music’s increasing popularity.
Nayana Mena, BBC Tunbridge Wells
Nayana began her apprenticeship in the London newsroom working in radio, TV and online.
Her infectious enthusiasm got her noticed straight away and she regularly represents the BBC to new recruits.
Kathryn Park, Early Careers Scheme Manager (Journalism), says: “Nayana is a tireless advocate and ambassador for apprenticeships. In a highly competitive process she was selected to present the BBC’s apprentice induction event, broadcast live across the UK. Her open and honest style ensured an inspiring welcome. She strives to encourage and nurture others from diverse backgrounds into the industry.
“Nayana’s joined recruitment events, spoken in schools, led practical skills workshops, and joined panel discussions. Her evangelical zeal for journalism – and journalism apprenticeships in particular – is infectious and has convinced many that an apprenticeship in journalism is the path for them.
“After completing her apprenticeship this summer Nayana successfully applied for a role as a Journalist at BBC Radio Kent. She has taken her energy, creativity and persistence into her new job and is making a real impact.”
The awards finals, organised by the Department for Education, will be hosted at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Wednesday 27 November.
All images are courtesy of the Department for Education.
