Pirate FM reveal first graduates of Programming Academy

From a press release to news@media.info
Posted 11 November 2014, 8.27am est

Four promising young people from Cornwall are celebrating their success, after being given the opportunity of a lifetime with Pirate FM.

Ben Howe from Grampound, Hollie Peters from Truro, Adam Wells from Falmouth, and Alex Benson from St Agnes recently completed a voluntary six-month placement as part of inaugural Pirate FM Programming Academy.

The students have experienced a behind the scenes look at the planning, production and post show production involved in the station’s flagship morning show, Neil and Tina at Breakfast.

The students developed numerous skills, including audio editing, answering telephone calls, keeping in touch with rapidly changing traffic and travel, monitoring social networking sites, as well audio production for competitions and features and articles.

Showing weekly commitment one day per week, the four graduating students have excelled in a wide variety of skills.

The Programming Academy graduates were presented with their engraved glassware at a special ceremony at Pirate FM’s Redruth studios. This was an opportunity to not only mark their achievements in radio production and assistant skills, but also to celebrate the successful of each student individually.

Ben Howe from Grampound has developed his media skills, which he’s been studying at college.

Truro’s Hollie Peters has completed her English degree whilst part of the Programming Academy and is considering a future career in teaching.

Adam Wells from Falmouth has consolidated his media radio skills and supported the stations two weeks of outside broadcasts during July’s Love Tour as well as coming face to face with a tarantula in the studio, keeping well behind the glass wall.

And St Agnes’ Alex Benson has blossomed in confidence, overcoming his shyness and returned to full-time education.

Pirate FM’s Managing Director Mark Peters said: “What these guys have achieved over the last few months has been really been impressive.

“It’s been a privilege to be able to use the skills already within Pirate FM to help these local young people succeed. Pirate FM is all about helping support the local communities we call home, and this is just one way in which we’ve been able to help change peoples’ lives.

"These graduates now have the opportunity to put on their CV that they’ve successfully graduated from our Programming Academy, and as a continually expanding business we hope to welcome them back again one day.”

Pirate FM’s Breakfast Show Presenter and Programme Controller Neil Caddy said “It’s been fantastic to see the development of each and every graduate, both in the professional radio skills but also personally as young people. They all have something to offer future employers.”

Tina Bessell, Breakfast Show Presenter and Programme Academy Director said, “I’m immensely proud of the journey each student has been through in the past 6 months and I’m confident that they will excel in their future chosen careers, both inside and outside of the media world. They have all grasped the opportunity and really benefitted from all that they have been offered. The Programming Academy has been a demonstration of the power of radio, the culture and values of UKRD and supporting young people in the community at its very best. “

If you would like to be considered for a place on the next Programming Academy Course, find all the details online at piratefm.co.uk. Applications close on 30 November 2014, for the next course which begins early in 2015.