MUMBAI: BBC has announced that following the success of the first series, Lord Sugar returns with his search for a Young Apprentice on BBC One this year.

A supporter of young people in business, Lord Sugar will offer 12 of the UK?s most promising and ambitious teenagers the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to follow in his entrepreneurial footsteps by competing for the title of Young Apprentice.

For eight weeks, 12 young candidates will make the leap from classroom to boardroom and face an education like no other as they embark on a series of tough tasks, pushing their skills to the limit. The young candidates will face the same cut-throat competition as in the adult series ? it?s survival of the fittest as the tasks become more challenging.

From all corners of the UK, each of the aspiring moguls have been selected for their academic flair and burning passion for business ? Lord Sugar has spotted something in all of them, but only one can succeed in becoming the next Young Apprentice.

Aged across 16 and 17 years old, most of these tycoons of tomorrow are still in education and span a broad range of backgrounds from council estates to private schools; they include an award-winning fashion designer, a young farmer, a published author, a filmmaker, a keen horticulturalist, a photographer and a former head-girl.

Lord Sugar started in business at the same age and expects his prospects to be able to do the same. They believe that they have the capability, passion and raw business talent to take on the challenge and be the one to win access to a fund worth ?25,000. The fund will go towards kick-starting his or her business career, and will be tailored to their individual career prospects and development.

All think they have what it takes, but can they prove themselves when the pressure is on?

Lord Sugar warns them: "You are young, don?t try and pretend like you know it all because believe me it?ll be embarrassing."

With tasks including making and selling ice cream, launching a new brand of deodorant and creating an online video game, the candidates will quickly learn that Lord Sugar doesn?t hang about when it comes to separating the wheat from the chaff.

Lord Sugar is, once again, aided by his no-nonsense advisers Nick Hewer and Karren Brady who will scrutinise the candidates? every move during the weekly tasks.

They will live in a luxurious townhouse in St John?s Wood, North London, giving them a taste of the lavish lives they dream of. For some, it?s their first time away from home, but for all it?s the chance to experience what life could be like as a high flyer.

When the winner is crowned, they will be given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be mentored by Britain?s most famous boss.

MUMBAI: There are almost one million young adults unemployed in the UK today and many more in stop-gap jobs. It is getting continually harder to get your foot in the door and interview skills and knowledge of the job market are becoming increasingly important.

UK pubcaster The BBC has announced that in a television first, a new BBC Three series hosted by Richard Bacon and Tina Daheley, Up for Hire Live, is devoting a whole week of primetime to the most important issue facing young people in Britain today: how to get a job. The series takes on the issue of unemployment head on by offering paid work placements via the BBC Three website.

There‘s a range of 23 opportunities being offered by seven companies who are supporting the Up for Hire Live initiative ? Argos, Greggs, Hilton Worldwide, ScottishPower, Starbucks, Timpson and Virgin Media have roles throughout the UK.

Each placement lasts for a minimum of three months and all are paid. It‘s a way for people to get their foot in the door and hopefully kick-start their career.

Working alongside BBC Learning and BBC Radio 1, Up For Hire Live is an ambitious series which will explore the issues faced by young unemployed people as well as offering viewers guidance through the challenging, complex world of work.

Business leaders and celebrity guests will be taking part to share their stories and highlight the reality of the world of work. The series will give an insight into the recruitment process and give viewers tips on applying for a job.

BBC Three commissioning editor Harry Lansdown said, "Obviously a TV series can‘t solve the problem of unemployment but we aim to shine a light on it and offer practical help on how to improve your chances of getting a job. The series will be interactive and have access to business experts and a wide range of companies both in the studio and via social media."

The BBC Three programme will be broadcast live each evening from 17 October. Presenters Richard and Tina can respond to questions asked by viewers immediately and the series will be as current and topical as possible. Radio 1‘s Breakfast Show will also be running an Up For Hire theme and will be focusing on youth unemployment.
 

MUMBAI: BBC has announced an adaptation and completion of Charles Dickens? last novel, ?Edwin Drood?, left unfinished at the halfway mark at his death on 9 June 1870

?The Mystery Of Edwin Drood?, a two-part drama for BBC Two by writer Gwyneth Hughes, is a psychological thriller about a provincial choirmaster?s obsession with 17-year-old Rosa Bud (Tamzin Merchant) and the lengths he will go to to attain her.

?The Mystery Of Edwin Drood?, alongside Great Expectations on BBC One, forms part of the BBC?s celebration of Dickens as the pubcaster goes into the bicentenary of his birth, in 2012.

John Jasper (Matthew Rhys) is a troubled man, his psyche split between darkness and light. He has spent his life in the stifling and claustrophobic cathedral town of Cloisterham in a state of frustrated ambition and has become addicted to opium in an attempt to still his ennui and expand his horizons.

But the opium is fracturing Jasper?s mind so that even as his soul reaches for the sublime in his music, his darker self has conceived a murderous hatred of his nephew Edwin Drood (Freddie Fox) who, he believes, stands between him and the lovely Rosa. The stage is set for a story of mental and moral decline as Jasper sets out to attain the object of his desire.

A strange, disturbing and modern tale about drugs, stalking and darkness visible, The Mystery Of Edwin Drood is currently in production for transmission later this year. Made in-house by BBC Drama Production for BBC Two, the two-part drama by writer, Gwyneth Hughes is a co-production with Masterpiece on PBS.