Comcast NBCUniversal Creates Valuable Opportunities for the Next Generation of Storytellers

Across the company, Comcast NBCUniversal creates workforce development opportunities that give emerging creative talent the chance to build their storytelling skills in connection with some of the company's biggest sports and community initiatives.  One of our partners is Venice Arts, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit creative agency that prepares young people for careers in media, arts, and education through paid apprenticeships. This year, Venice Arts apprentices participated in three projects connected to NBCUniversal’s marquee sports moments. During NBA All-Star Weekend, apprentices created content around the NBA Foundation’s Pitch Competition, a program giving seven Los Angeles-based social impact entrepreneurs the chance to compete for funding. Apprentices also documented three Habitat for Humanity builds where the NBA, the LA Clippers, community members, and NBCUniversal employees worked side by side to help rebuild 112 households impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. Leading up to the FIFA World Cup, apprentices worked on a Spanish-language public service announcement for KEEN LA, a nonprofit organization that empowers youth with disabilities through inclusive recreation and fitness programs. The PSA aired on Telemundo 52 before and during the tournament.  

For Jaime Zavala, Executive Director of Venice Arts, the value of workforce development opportunities, particularly those connected to Comcast NBCUniversal’s major sports and community events, comes down to one thing: giving young creatives meaningful, professional experiences that challenge them and help build the skills they need to advance in their careers.  

Zavala explained that each experience challenged his apprentices to develop new skills while working in real-world production environments. “To put our young people, in one sense, in the hot seat and hold them to a high standard, with NBCUniversal mentors working beside them, is incredibly meaningful. It gives them the ability to add recognizable organizations like NBCUniversal, Habitat for Humanity or the NBA Foundation to their resumes and show the caliber of the work they’ve done and the level they can rise to.”   

Beyond building resumes, the experiences helped apprentices develop both technical and professional skills like capturing sound, conducting interviews, and overcoming the variables and obstacles inherent to the production process. 

“There are moments where they experience stress, when they have to pivot in the moment. This doesn’t happen in a classroom setting because it’s all manufactured. Here, it’s very real, with real expectations and real results that need to be delivered.”  

Just as importantly, apprentices learned how to collaborate, communicate with clients, and navigate unfamiliar professional settings. 

“We had them take the lead when it came to connecting with the NBA Foundation or KEEN LA. They got to see and experience what it’s really like.”  

Venice Arts apprentices received mentorship and feedback along the way from NBCUniversal employees with creative expertise. Zavala shared, “There was coaching from employees where they would give ideas of how a shot could look better and explain to the apprentices in a collaborative way. The students then took that feedback and used it throughout the rest of the day.” 

According to Zavala, the impact of these experiences is already visible. Several apprentices have gone on to secure production assistant, production coordinator and live-event opportunities, drawing on the experience they gained through these projects.  

“A number of our apprentices have been able to land new jobs because they had these projects on their resumes. That’s huge.”  

For Zavala, these roles help his young people gain confidence and see a future for themselves in the industry. 

“Here are chances to connect with other people in the sector and see what’s possible. They belong here just as much as anybody else… And in a moment where the spotlight is being shown on our city for these great sporting events that don't happen all the time, it was really exciting for them to be a part of it.” 

By connecting emerging talent with real-world projects tied to marquee company initiatives, Comcast NBCUniversal is helping prepare the next generation of creative professionals while expanding pathways to careers across the media and entertainment industry.