Telford College has joined forces with media companies to create a groundbreaking scheme aimed at plugging skills gaps and creating opportunities for students across the region.
The innovative project has seen the college meet with firms in PR, journalism, audio and video production and other areas of the media, with the aim of helping shape the future of education in creative media at the college.
The Creative Employer Skills Hub is set to run four times a year and will be focussed on developing and nurturing the next generation of talent.
Input from companies will range from offering lengthy work placements to day releases from college, guest talks, project briefs and Q&A sessions, with a host of other ideas discussed at the first event held at the college on June 24.
The creation of the hub comes as the college prepares to launch a new T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production next year, with college bosses keen to have employer input in developing the curriculum.
The hub, which saw 10 companies come together at the first event, is being led by Faculty Director for Technical and Creative Industries, Andy Turner, who is excited about what the hub can offer to students, but also companies across Telford & Wrekin.
He said: “It was fantastic to see so many employers and professionals from across creative disciplines, including art, music, media and marketing, come together for this first hub meeting.
“Hearing their ideas and positive response to our vision was incredibly exciting, and showed the potential of what this hub can do for young people in our region who want to pursue careers in the creative industries.
“We’ve been working with creative professionals across our region for a long time now on some really exciting projects, from film festivals and textiles competitions to mock interviews and music events. This hub is about bringing those people together, while also expanding our network to include new employers and creative professionals we haven’t yet worked with.”
The college already works with a wide range of creative partners, with students delivering on projects for organisations such as Love Wellington, BBC Shropshire, Shrewsbury Drapers, and the National Trust.
The college is also hoping companies will be able to offer work placements in various forms, to give aspiring students real world experience alongside their studies.
Andy believes that access to potential placements as well as the chance to work with different companies, will provide a massive boost not just for current students, but prospective students looking at going into the media.
He said: “The hub will allow us to further develop curriculum design and experiences that have a powerful impact on creative and music students at the college. Just as importantly, it will help ensure our students are well prepared for the realities of working in the creative economy.
“Those involved in the hub will also help create strong foundations for the successful launch and development of our Creative T Level offer.
“This includes supporting employer set projects and providing valuable work experience placements.
“Everyone involved, along with college staff, is genuinely excited about where this could go and the significant benefits it could bring to young people across Telford and Wrekin.”
