Challenge specifics, and terms and conditions

Promoter

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT with registered address at 3 Newbridge Square, Swindon, SN1 1BY (“BCS”)

Name

Digital apprenticeship challenge.

The challenge purpose

‘What’s the big digital idea?' entrants to come up with an idea that that utilises forward thinking in IT and digital technology considering:

• Sustainability - the project entry should focus on the use of technology for the benefit of society and be something that the individuals it is designed for can use to make an impact
• Accessibility and ethics - linking the idea to important areas such as diversity and social mobility

Who is it for?

Open to all current and past digital and IT apprentices at all levels including degree apprenticeships (regardless of whether BCS is their end-point assessment organisation). Entrants must have either completed or be currently on an IT or digital apprenticeship.

Requirements

The 'big idea' must utilise forward thinking in IT and digital technology considering:

• Sustainability - the project entry should focus on the use of technology for the benefit of society and be something that the individuals it is designed for can use to make an impact
• Accessibility - linking the idea to important areas such as diversity, social mobility and ethics.

Entries should be presented and explained in a short video (no more than 10 minutes) and include responses to the following questions:  

• What is the digital innovation or idea and why will it make a difference?
• How clearly the idea is explained including clarity around who the idea is designed to help and how exactly it will help them.
• An explanation of how it works and how can other people get access to and benefit from the idea.
• A demonstration of how the idea makes a difference to the themes of sustainability and accessibility that is addresses.
• If appropriate, information on what the entrant is doing or has already done using their own skill sets and networks to make this idea come to life.

As well as the benefits to society and consideration given to sustainability and accessibility as shown above, the judging criteria will be based upon:

• The application of creativity shown
• Digital skills and know how applied
• Details given of how the idea can be applied in the real world

Rules  

The project must be the apprentices own work and / or something they are currently working on in their own organisation.

Apprentices can enter this competition on their own or as part of a team. The maximum number of apprentices in a team is limited to 5. Where the apprentices enter the competition as part of team, they must appoint a team leader who will act on behalf of the team, including submitting or retracting the team's entry.

The competition opens for entries on 1 November 2020.

Entrants have the right to retract their entries at any time by writing to BCS via email to bcsmarketing@bcs.uk. BCS will endeavour to have their entries and video presentation removed from the competition web page within seven days of being notified. For the smooth running of the competition, entrants should retract their entries two weeks before the advised closing date.

Terms and conditions

By entering this competition, entrants accept to be bound by the competition specifics and BCS. View the general competition terms and conditions

The competition is open to all digital and IT apprentices (who have completed or are currently completing an apprenticeship programme) residents of the United Kingdom and aged 18 years or over.

The entrants will prepare a short video to present their ideas in line with the Requirements set out above (the "video presentation") and send the video presentation to BCS at bcsmarketing@bcs.uk. Only one entry will be accepted per person or per team. Multiple entries from the same person or team will be disqualified.

By submitting an entry, entrants grant to BCS a non-exclusive royalty free licence to use their video presentation for marketing and publicity purposes. BCS does not claim any rights of ownership in the entrants' video presentation. Entrants expressly consent to the sharing of their video presentation with the judges.

A panel of judges will produce a shortlist of the best ideas based on the criteria set out in the requirements above. The shortlist will be published on the BCS digital apprenticeship challenge page (the "competition web page") after the judging (date to be advised). There will be a two week period following that date where any person will be able to vote for the best ideas on the competition web page.

The winners names and video presentations will be available on the challenge web page after the voting is closed.

By submitting their video presentations, all entrants are deemed to have accepted to the broadcast of their video presentation and to the publication of their name and presentation on the challenge web page.

The winner will be notified by email or letter that he / she has won and when and where the prize can be collected / delivered.

The winners agree to the use of their name, image and comments relating to the digital apprenticeship challenge for marketing and publicity purpose.

The winners give consent to BCS to copy, publish, display, modify, translate their video presentation in the UK solely for BCS' marketing purposes including print and electronic marketing, such as: websites; press releases; national, trade or industry journals; newsletters; advertisements; brochures; presentations; social media and videos.

Timings

The launch

The challenge launch took place at the apprenticeship event on Thursday 6 February 2020. Entries are to be submitted to BCS by 18 December 2020.

Judging

Our panel of judges will put together a shortlist of entries which will be announced in January 2021.

Voting round

Shortlisted entries will be showcased on the challenge web page and put to the public vote in January 2021.

The winners will be announced during National Apprenticeship Week 2021 (8 to 14 February).

Prizes 

The prizes are as stated, no other alternative will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another equivalent value without notice.

• £500 will be awarded to the challenge winner.
• £300 will be awarded to one highly commended entry.
• 3 prizes of £150 will be awarded to commended entries.
• £500 will be awarded to the winning team

If you would like more information, please email bcsmarketing@bcs.uk.