Only 24 people from Salford have been given jobs at the BBC’s new headquarters at MediaCity.
Figures obtained by the M.E.N. show fewer than one in 100 people from the city who applied for a position there were successful.
And – of the 24 Salfordians who did get a job – eight were on six-month ‘ambassador’ contracts for 16-19 year olds, paying between £3.64 an hour and £4.92 an hour. The ambassadors’ role is to meet, greet and look after guests.
The figures show the BBC has created 1,846 jobs at MediaCity in Salford Quays. Some 1,166 of those went to staff relocating from London or the BBC’s previous northern home in Oxford Road, Manchester.
Only 246 of the remaining 680 jobs were given to people living in Greater Manchester - and only 24 went to people from Salford, despite a total of 3,172 applications.
The BBC is also running an apprenticeship programme at MediaCity which has taken on 16 people from Greater Manchester – but none from Salford. The corporation aims to create 100 apprenticeships in all.
BBC bosses said they recruited on merit rather than postcode, but remained committed to creating opportunities for local people.
But Hazel Blears, MP for Salford and Eccles, described the figures as ‘incredibly disappointing’. She said she was seeking an urgent meeting with Peter Salmon, director of BBC North.
Ms Blears said: “The BBC needs to up its game and start to employ local people for local jobs.
“I’m shocked they have only come up with such a small number and I think they can do much, much better. In these difficult economic times it is vital that local people are able to take jobs in their home areas.”
Ken Lee, human resources director for BBC North, said: “We believe that this is a promising start. The BBC has recruited from across the north of England based on skills and experience, not by postcode.
“Additionally initiatives such as the ambassador and apprenticeship programmes offer local residents the chance not only to gain valuable entry level experience but permanent jobs as well. Of the BBC North workforce now based at MediaCity, approximately half were originally locally based – either working for the BBC in Manchester or living within reasonable travelling distance of MediaCity already.
“And half chose to move to the north either when their BBC jobs were relocated to Salford or as a result of applying for Salford-based jobs.”
Mr Lee said local people had also got jobs with other firms as a result of the BBC’s presence – including 90 Salfordians taken on by building firm Balfour Beatty to work on the MediaCity site. The BBC closed its jobs website for posts at MediaCity in the summer after being deluged with applications. A total of 66,657 people put themselves forward – meaning one person in 98 got a job. For applicants from Salford, the figure was one in 130.
Since the figures were released, it is understood the BBC has employed another two ambassadors from Salford.
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If the taletnt and skills are not there what are they supposed to do - they can't hire someone completely unqualified to do a job just because they live five minutes walk away.
What a joke ?
Perhaps someone should hold a meeting with the people of Salford, and ask them why so few of them have the skills required to make them employable.
Now there's a surprise!
"BBC bosses said they recruited on merit rather than postcode, but remained committed to creating opportunities for local people"
And what's wrong with that? It's a competitive world out there. Kids need to take school and education seriously and then maybe the doors will open.
Geographical nonsense, Media City is bang on the border with Trafford, should they just recruit on one side of the water? Manchester is just along the road, should Mancunians stare at the old BBC on Oxford Rd and weep? People will get on their bikes, buses, trams and cars and come from all over our boundary riven region. This isn't just about Salford. Or Hazel Blears making noise about being its champion.
While I find it amazing that so many local people lost out on positions here - a company will always employ on merit, rather than where you live. There are so many out of work nowadays, Employers can afford to be choosy and get the best people. My sister is worried for her job this year and she has been there 30 years - since she was 16.
To be fair it should be the best people for the job, not where they live as that would be discriminatory to everyone else and the BBC is a public funded company. You also mention 90 salfordians got construction jobs, so that headline is a little misleading.
Hazel you have had a couple of years to sort that issue out,,, the horse as long since bolted,,, you are highlighting your incompetence
Not surprised, they look after their own. In any case why would they pay to train another set of people when they can move the already trained (and experienced) people north. I detect more self-promotion by Ms Blears on the back of this.
Hazel is disappointed?
Well I guess she knows how her constituents feel then.
Karma's a wonderful thing
well its now a tory led bbc I think!
Well I suppose there is a limit to the number of cleaners they can employ.
No surprise there then. What next? the Germans have been commissioned to build the new royal yacht.
The whole process was a joke, i had 7 years experience in TV but knew people who had less experience from London who got jobs over me. The whole thing has just been a pr thing but in reality we have just moved london based people up to manchester at a huge cost!
Wow that helps with local unemployment! Well done Salford council for making billions for all of the companies involved but making no difference for the population of the city who you are employed to help.
Will you all still bleat your way to the polling booth like good little labour sheep after they have failed you yet again?
John Merry 10/10 for leading everyone down the garden path!
How qualified are the people of Salford for jobs in the broadcast/media industry?
The BBC's move North is for the benefit of the North, not for the benefit of the people of Salford.
Why doesn't Ms Blears let someone from Salford take over and do her job?
"Local jobs for local people" ?
Why should people be sacked from their job just so someone from Salford can take it?
Could one of the main reasons be that the locals did not apply, as they want to stay on benifits and do nothing all day??.
How many from Trafford and Manchester?. The first is 100 yards away the second half a mile.
Surely the Right Honourable Hazel thinks this was soemthing just for Salford? Do we know how many jobs went to people from the North West?
what on earth is she blears bleating about?
no-one from salford applied for an apprenticeship so, unsurprisingly, none got one.
best person for the job, rather than discrimination.
The BBC is in a unique position. Everyone in the country has to support it financially or go to jail. It is responsible to no one and can do what it likes. No one who works for it is elected by the people. Until the compulsory licence fee goes - that poll tax of the airwaves - nothing will improve.