EARLY TALENT PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT:

CHAMPIONING APPRENTICESHIPS: HEAR FROM OUR UK APPRENTICES ON WHY IT'S A WINNING ALTERNATIVE TO UNIVERSITY

"I strongly aligned with the guiding principles of WBD - the pursuit of inclusive and intentional storytelling and by choosing this apprenticeship meant that I could educate myself in every facet of business and film while gaining indispensable experience."

-Phoebe Simonelli
DEI Pipeline Apprentice

If university isn't the path you're taking but you're looking for a qualification, our UK apprenticeships may be right for you. Our apprentices get to work full-time at a competitive salary. In turn, we'll pay for you to earn a professional qualification while giving you time off to attend college or training with your peers. WBD's Apprenticeship programme offers you the opportunity to take on real responsibilities within a supportive and encouraging business environment, acting as an integral and valued member of your team.

Read on to hear from our current UK apprentices on how they landed their role, what their WBD apprenticeship experience was like, and their top tips from applications to first days to networking.

Why did you apply for an apprenticeship at WBD?

Jadaya, Creative Apprentice: I always wanted to do an apprenticeship since secondary school, as I prefer practical learning over university. When I discovered WBD’s apprenticeships, I was drawn to the company’s reputation, the department I’d be working in, and the opportunity to develop both personally and professionally. It was a mix of continuing to develop my creative skills and learning a new skill through business administration.

Charlie, Post-Production Apprentice: I am sure I’m not alone in saying that, growing up, I always loved film and TV. I had explored several avenues for getting into the industry before, but none of them were what I was after. When I came across the application for an apprentice role at De Lane Lea (part of Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden), I knew I had to apply. It seemed like such an amazing opportunity to learn in a facility that works so closely with film and TV production. Plus, the building itself looked incredible! I’m so glad I applied, and now I can say that I have helped with the billing for House of the Dragon Season 2 (which I was a big fan of even before I started at De Lane Lea). To have even a tiny part in helping with that was incredible.

What has been your favourite project you’ve worked on in your apprenticeship?
Phoebe, DEI Pipeline Apprentice: Undoubtedly my favourite project has been the WBD Access x Waterloo Road Directors Programme that took place last year in Manchester. Driving the logistical administrative support and being a part of a training programme to uplift women directors in episodic TV was such an amazing experience. The community and memories are something I will cherish always.

Gráinne, Creative Services UK & Ireland Apprentice: My favourite project to work on was creating the branding for our Mental Health Ambassadors here at WBD. I was trusted to be the lead designer on this project and really enjoyed researching and designing the logo, as well as creating mock-ups for merchandise which is now available to staff members across our UK offices! It was an ambitious project as we needed a lot of approval from the US, but I was so pleased with how it turned out in the end.

Samuel, Film Marketing Finance Apprentice: One of my most rewarding projects involved designing an Excel tracker for 2025 and 2026 titles that were tailored for the diverse departments I collaborate with. This task was both challenging and enjoyable, requiring me to engage deeply with the nuances of each department's workflows. This allowed me to expand my knowledge of their operations and develop a more holistic understanding of the organization. Additionally, this project created opportunities to learn from my colleagues, whose expertise and guidance were invaluable. The experience not only honed my technical skills but also enhanced my teamwork and problem-solving abilities, making it an incredibly fulfilling endeavour. 

What is a highlight of your apprenticeship at WBD?
Gráinne: A highlight for sure has been the incredible opportunities to attend special events such as the Dune: Part 2 World Premiere. I had the chance to walk the red carpet and even see some of the stars of the film. It was amazing to see some of the assets I’ve created as a designer on the red carpet and really put into perspective the level of visibility that my work gets.

Phoebe: A highlight for me in this journey was watching the Black Britian Unspoken documentaries premiere at Picture House Central in London. Each of the cohort from the programme worked incredibly hard in creating the shorts that showcases underrepresented Black British stories. Knowing how each filmmaker started out and how they were able to produce such integral pieces of film with the support and guidance from my team and partnering companies was a significant moment for me.

Jadaya: The highlight so far has been working on projects involving major franchises such as Harry Potter and Looney Tunes. It’s exciting to learn new skills, refine existing ones, and contribute to creative projects for such renowned brands. This is just the beginning of my apprenticeship, but I’m excited for the opportunities that will arise as the apprenticeship develops.

Charlie: My first week will always be a highlight - getting to see the whole facility at De Lane Lea and shadowing all the different departments. I couldn’t believe the detail that went into every part of the post-production process. It’s so hard to be able to pin down just one example though, there have been so many! It has been such a joy to learn the ins and outs of it all.

Samuel: A highlight of an apprenticeship at Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by contributing to high-profile productions such as Superman, Joker, and Beetlejuice. This unique exposure allowed me to develop my skills while working alongside industry experts on world-class projects, fostering both professional growth and creative inspiration.

What's one thing you're proud of having done throughout your apprenticeship?
Jadaya: I’m proud of everything so far as it’s only been a couple months and I feel like each project I’ve worked on has developed my skills further, such as creating the end-of-year video using After Effects and the POV boards has helped with my adobe illustrator and photoshop skills. I’m hoping to work on the style guides and be able to see my ideas come to life.

Phoebe: Being on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pipeline Team here in the UK means that every single task contributes to a project or movement much bigger than myself, for which I am eternally grateful. I am fortunate enough to say that everything my team and I do is something to be proud of

Gráinne: Throughout my apprenticeship, I tried to network with departments and colleagues that I wouldn’t normally interact with. The best way to do that was through our Business Resource Groups. Last year, I stepped out of my comfort zone using our BRGs to be a part of several clubs such as run club, craft club, book club, and even got to represent the company at last year’s London Pride. These contributions to our office culture have given me a real sense of pride and belonging within WBD, on top of being great for personal development!

Charlie: I’ve reflected on how far I have come since the start of my apprenticeship. I’m really proud of how I have got to the point where I am not just learning from the team, but also working alongside them. At first I found it hard to keep up with it all, emails and other messages related to my work, but I think I am in a great place now!

What advice would you give to someone applying to an apprenticeship at WBD?
Gráinne: Never doubt yourself or your abilities. It’s very easy to get a bit of imposter syndrome when faced with big responsibilities or the idea of working for a company as big and renowned as Warner Bros Discovery. But everyone has been there, and everyone has to start somewhere. Just go for it!

Jadaya: It’s not just about showcasing your knowledge and the qualifications you have achieved but it’s also about demonstrating your soft skills such as active listening, presentation and communication skills.

Phoebe: Just be yourself! Let the company see how passionate you are and what you can bring to the table. Don’t be afraid to show your strengths and your weaknesses - the areas which you are intending to improve on in this apprenticeship. And don’t forget to demonstrate your eagerness to learn and grow with the company!

Charlie: Don’t disregard any of the skills you have developed up to this point. I was apprehensive about including skills I had learnt just working at Bars and Pubs, but they turned out to be some of the most useful. In my role at work, I use my communication skills I learnt from working in customer service almost every day. There will be many transferable skills you will have picked up from side jobs, hobbies, and other forms of education.

Samuel: DO YOUR RESEARCH! You need to show an interest in the company as well as the team you want to join.  Highlight both your soft and hard skills—such as communication, problem-solving, and proficiency in tools like Excel or PowerPoint or whatever applies to the role you are applying for. Demonstrating a proactive attitude and a willingness to adapt will set you apart.

Now that you've heard from our incredible UK apprentices, are you ready to jumpstart your career at WBD? Check out our career site for open roles: careers.wbd.com/uk-early-careers.