650 apply for Absolute Radio apprentice

The need for apprentice opportunities in UK radio remains strong as Absolute Radio receives 650 applications to join the London-based station.

After 650 applications, 250 were long-listed candidates, 11 got interviews and just one took the title – a person described by the stations as “The very talented, incredibly hard-working and extremely creative Paul Culliver.”

The 23 year-old who lives in London has accepted the six-month salaried position where he will learn the craft of producing live and pre-recorded programmes, working alongside some of the stations key presenters including Ian Wright, Christian O’Connell and Geoff Lloyd.

In the hunt for its latest recruit Absolute Radio made a break with their standard recruitment process; the application forms were submitted anonymously and each entry was judged without the panel knowing the candidate’s name, age or gender, eliminating any possibility of bias and ensuring that the brightest talent rose to the top.

Absolute Radio’s Chief Operating Officer Clive Dickens said: “The employment market is incredibly tough right now and we wanted to play our part in offering someone a chance. Our creative approach to recruitment afforded anonymity to all applicants, which offered equality for all, and ensured we got the best person for the job.”

On hearing the news Paul Culliver said “I can’t quite believe it. Opportunities like this are few and far between… I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

The Apprentice was promoted across all of Absolute Radio’s platforms: on-air, online, mobile, in-stream and Radioplayer and featured video and audio interviews with current staff members who got their first break through apprenticeships.

Applicants were directed to a bespoke micro site created by the Absolute Radio Interactive Media team.

Paul Culliver is a 23 year-old Australian UK resident who lives in London; he will start his new role at Absolute Radio in January when he returns from the US where he has been helping the Democrats successfully help get Barack Obama re-elected as President of the United States.