Overview of the role

Ensure the reliability and integrity of broadcast and media systems critical to the delivery of TV, radio and online services; in a broadcast industry.

Details of standard

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the Broadcast, Media and Entertainment industries.

Technicians will typically work for a broadcaster or media services supplier or broadcast equipment supplier/manufacturer.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to ensure the reliability and integrity of broadcast and media systems critical to the delivery of TV, radio and online services; in a broadcast industry which operates 24/7.  It’s fast paced, dynamic and constantly changing.  Technicians need to be able to respond quickly to problems, faults and the loss or impairment of services to ensure customers experience the best possible service.  Broadcast and Media Systems Technicians need to know and understand the maintenance characteristics that are particularly critical to the broadcast and media equipment or system, including electrical, electronic, mechanical, software, environmental and ergonomics. They are also responsible for ensuring broadcast and media systems modifications and upgrades are delivered in line with agreed timescales and to industry specification.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with broadcast technical operators, broadcast engineers, customers and suppliers. They will be expected to work autonomously and take sole responsibility for making decisions about ongoing maintenance versus replacement and the implications of this such as cost, downtime and reliability. They will also be expected to take ownership to resolve and/or escalate faults and incidents following the correct company procedures. Broadcast and Media Systems Technicians must also be able to provide technical advice and support to users and operators of broadcast and media systems in line with service level agreements.

This role could be located in a broadcast or operations centre, at customer premises, playout operations, outside broadcast units, transmitter sites, production control rooms or IP Networks or Software Support. Operating and maintaining these systems is demanding,and may require out of hours working through shift working or on call rotas.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for operating and maintaining the broadcast and media systems which underpin the media and entertainment industry.

Core duties include:

  • Carrying out planned maintenance
  • Carrying out corrective maintenance
  • Complying with Health and Safety
  • Maintaining Broadcast and Media Systems test equipment
  • Undertaking Broadcast and Media Systems testing
  • Providing technical advice and support to users and operators of Broadcast and Media Systems
  • Data management and reporting for Broadcast and Media Systems
  • Maintaining professional competence in Broadcast and Media Systems
  • Supporting system modifications and upgrades
  • Operating broadcast and media transfer/playout or export

Typical job titles include:

Communications technician Maintenance technician Master control room operator

Occupation duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 1 Carry out planned maintenance on broadcast and media systems

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6

S1 S2 S3 S4

B1 B2 B3

Duty 2 Carry out corrective maintenance

K4 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10

S5 S6 S7 S8

B1 B2 B3

Duty 3 Understand and comply with Health and Safety policies, processes and procedures for your organisation and role

K4 K11 K12 K13 K14

S9 S10 S11 S12

B4

Duty 4 Maintain Broadcast and Media Systems test equipment

K15 K16 K17 K18 K19

S13 S14 S15 S16

B4

Duty 5 Undertake Broadcast and Media Systems testing

K20 K21 K22 K23

S17 S18 S19 S20

B1

Duty 6 Provide technical advice and support to users and operators of broadcast and media systems

K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30

S21 S22 S23 S24 S25 S26

B2 B3 B5 B6

Duty 7 Manage performance data and reporting for broadcast and media systems

K31 K32

S27 S28

B6

Duty 8 Develop and maintain broadcast and media systems knowledge and skills

K33 K34 K35 K36

S29 S30 S31 S32

B2

Duty 9 Support broadcast and media systems modifications and upgrades

K4 K6 K37 K38

S12 S33 S34

B3

Duty 10 Operate broadcast and media transfer/playout/export systems

K25 K39 K40 K41 K42

S35 S36 S37 S38 S39

B4


KSBs

Knowledge

K1: Know where to source the correct maintenance procedures and schedules relevant to own role Back to Duty

K2: How to obtain functional and specification documentation such as equipment manuals, system specifications, manufacturers’ maintenance plans, design documents, fault logs/databases, regulatory requirements, functional specifications and operational handbooks for maintenance Back to Duty

K3: Understand the maintenance characteristics that are particularly critical to the broadcast and media equipment or system, including electrical, electronic, mechanical, software, environmental and ergonomics Back to Duty

K4: Understand the safe systems of work and isolation for working on antennas, high voltage, power boards, switchboards and uninterruptable power supplies Back to Duty

K5: Know and understand the factors affecting decisions about ongoing maintenance versus replacement, including cost, downtime, reliability Back to Duty

K6: How to connect broadcast systems and equipment to IT systems Back to Duty

K7: Understand the types of faults that may occur in broadcast and media systems and how to identify these Back to Duty

K8: How to conduct root cause analysis Back to Duty

K9: Why it is important to minimise equipment and systems downtime, and to solve problems quickly e.g. loss of service and potential reputational damage, or financial penalties for breach of service level agreements Back to Duty

K10: Know and understand own Business Continuity procedures Back to Duty

K11: Know and understand own workplace Health and Safety legislation, processes and procedures Back to Duty

K12: Know how to safely use and maintain Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), tools and equipment Back to Duty

K13: Understand the company procedures for reporting hazards and risks to the appropriate personnel Back to Duty

K14: Understand the main hazards to personal health and safety within own role such as electrical voltage and radio frequencies (RF) Back to Duty

K15: Understand the different types and uses of broadcast and media systems test equipment such as analysers or meters Back to Duty

K16: Know and understand the importance of keeping testing equipment clean and accurately calibrated Back to Duty

K17: Understand the correct procedures for storing and transporting testing equipment Back to Duty

K18: Know and understand how to use the testing equipment correctly and safely Back to Duty

K19: Know when, and who to report faults with the testing equipment to Back to Duty

K20: Understand elementary analogue and digital electronic techniques Back to Duty

K21: Understand the fundamentals of digital signals, coding techniques, modulation and multiplexing techniques and fibre optic communication Back to Duty

K22: Understand Radio Frequency (RF) communication principles, wave propagation, transmission media and RF radiators Back to Duty

K23: Understand the principles, techniques and applications of computer network systems, ethernet and IP technology, network components, server systems, virtualisation and remote access technology Back to Duty

K24: Understand the purpose, benefits, limitations and risks of the different equipment and software required for broadcast and media systems and when it is appropriate to use them Back to Duty

K25: How to operate the broadcast and media systems, software and equipment required Back to Duty

K26: Know the types of problem that can occur with the operation of broadcast and media systems such as loss of power, signal degradation, overheating etc. Back to Duty

K27: How to prioritise operational problems and why it is important to solve a problem quickly Back to Duty

K28: Understand the technical quality of service requirements that affect your work Back to Duty

K29: Understand how to adapt communication style and supporting information to meet audience requirements Back to Duty

K30: Understand how to identify and advise on the most effective and realistic solution in each circumstance, taking constraints into account Back to Duty

K31: Understand the importance of and methods for, organising and storing information such as written descriptions, diagrams, note taking from meetings, feedback from reports, presentations and change control Back to Duty

K32: Understand how to use the organisational recording systems correctly Back to Duty

K33: Understand broadcast technical operations, technical systems and equipment and the context of their use in workplace activities Back to Duty

K34: Understand the broadcasting and media systems industry; its heritage and its future direction. Back to Duty

K35: Know how to use resources, such as online sites, to update knowledge and find out what others are doing Back to Duty

K36: Understand how and when to ask questions to improve your practice Back to Duty

K37: Understand the principles of design, architecture, development and maintenance of broadcast and media systems and networks Back to Duty

K38: Understand the brief for the work and how to interpret requirements and parameters as provided by the customer or line manager, or project manager and/or senior engineer Back to Duty

K39: Understand the file transfer protocols, relating to broadcast and media systems, software and equipment including file access rights Back to Duty

K40: Know how to connect broadcast and media systems and equipment to networks Back to Duty

K41: Know and understand the appropriate formats required for different broadcast methods such as Joint Photographic Experts Group Standard (JPEG) or Moving Picture Experts Group Standard (MPEG) files or MP3 (audio format of MPEG) Back to Duty

K42: How to protect content and the importance of information security Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Conduct planned maintenance on all systems in line with organisational procedures Back to Duty

S2: Ensure maintenance work complies with all relevant regulations and guidelines Back to Duty

S3: Take prompt action to respond to and diagnose any problems encountered Back to Duty

S4: Record maintenance carried out and actions taken in appropriate systems in line with organisational procedures Back to Duty

S5: Identify problems to broadcast media service or systems, conducting in-depth root cause analysis and fault finding as required Back to Duty

S6: Take ownership to resolve and/or escalate faults and incidents following the correct company procedures Back to Duty

S7: Communicate fault conditions in a timely manner, to colleagues, customers and service suppliers Back to Duty

S8: Log faults and report them to the relevant operational business area Back to Duty

S9: Comply with organisational Health and Safety policies, practices and procedures Back to Duty

S10: Identify, mitigate and report any incidents or risks to the appropriate personnel Back to Duty

S11: Complete Risk Assessments for tasks and work activities within and relevant to, own role Back to Duty

S12: Work safely and follow procedures for working on antennas, high voltage, power boards, switchboards and with uninterruptable power supplies Back to Duty

S13: Identify and obtain the appropriate test equipment required Back to Duty

S14: Ensure the equipment is in working condition and calibrated correctly Back to Duty

S15: Safely transport and store the testing equipment in line with organisational procedures Back to Duty

S16: Report any faults with the test equipment, rectifying these if appropriate Back to Duty

S17: Test and evaluate the performance of electronic circuits Back to Duty

S18: Use software and hardware diagnostics tools and connectivity protocols to interface and integrate broadcast systems Back to Duty

S19: Use test equipment correctly, evaluating results and taking the appropriate course of action Back to Duty

S20: Interconnect and trouble-shoot video and audio signals Back to Duty

S21: Identify and advise on the most effective and realistic solution in each circumstance taking into account constraints Back to Duty

S22: Use a level of technical terminology that meets the technical understanding of the person receiving the advice Back to Duty

S23: Adapt your communications style according to the audience Back to Duty

S24: Use supporting information that aids others’ understanding of advice when required such as system diagrams Back to Duty

S25: Check that the advice given complies with all relevant regulations and guidelines Back to Duty

S26: Ensure the delivery of systems/services to customers in line with agree service levels Back to Duty

S27: Comply with organisational systems for reporting and recording information Back to Duty

S28: Ensure records relating to planned and corrective maintenance are correctly completed and updated Back to Duty

S29: Create and maintain a professional development record to document progress against key competencies and enable effective learning from the workplace Back to Duty

S30: Seek help or advice from appropriate people or information sources when limitations in your knowledge or expertise will impact on your work Back to Duty

S31: Seek out learning and networking opportunities that will be most beneficial to you Back to Duty

S32: Remain flexible, adaptable and positive to new directions, creative requirements and technical developments Back to Duty

S33: Check that specifications are capable of being implemented and operated Back to Duty

S34: Implement upgrades or modifications in line with organisational procedures and specification Back to Duty

S35: Check ingested data or transport streams against workflow requirements Back to Duty

S36: Operate broadcast and media systems using methods and procedures that meet requirements Back to Duty

S37: Comply with the organisational processes for ensuring physical and electronic security of data and systems Back to Duty

S38: Play out or export media in line with requirements Back to Duty

S39: Check that outputs of broadcast and media systems comply with specifications, regulations, standards, guidelines and procedures Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: A strong work ethic and commitment to meet the standards required Back to Duty

B2: Desire to expand technical knowledge, and passion for working with broadcast and media systems Back to Duty

B3: Thinking creatively and logically to solve technical issues - contributing to a process of continual improvement Back to Duty

B4: Recognition and compliance with workplace legislation, policies and procedures Back to Duty

B5: Displaying confidence in their approach to communicating with different audiences Back to Duty

B6: Building and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, customers and suppliers Back to Duty


Qualifications

English and Maths

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.

Professional recognition

This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:

  • Engineering Council for Technician Level


Additional details

Occupational Level:

5

Duration (months):

24

Review

this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.

Status: Approved for delivery
Level: 5
Reference: ST0425
Version: 1.0
Date updated: 14/04/2022
Approved for delivery: 6 March 2020
Route: Creative and design
Typical duration to gateway: 24 months (this does not include EPA period)
Maximum funding: £15000
LARS Code: 547
EQA Provider: Ofqual
Employers involved in creating the standard: Arqiva, Babcock International, Bauer Media, BBC, BBC Academy, Birmingham City University, BT Group,, Creative Skillset, dB Broadcast, Digital UK, Ericsson, Hattrick, High Definition & Digital Cinema Ltd, IABM International Moving Image Society, ITV, Panasonic. Ravensbourne, Suitcase TV, Sky , The IET, University of Salford

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date Latest end date
1.0 Approved for delivery 06/03/2020 Not set Not set

Crown copyright © 2024. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence

Is this webpage useful?

Thank you for your feedback

Tell us about your experience