Spotlight on BCFE: Tune in to your future with FET

Did you know, since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a huge surge in radio listeners? Across both traditional analogue and online services, listenership has increased from 66% in 2019 to 71% of Irish adults in 2020 and last month, an IAB Report, ‘Listen Up Ireland 2021’, found that 60% are tuning into more podcasts, something which is expected to increase further in the coming year.

With more listeners and more platforms to listen through, the radio industry is going from strength to strength.  So, might it be the time to consider a career in radio? If so, what better way than through FET!

Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE) offers a Level 6 Radio Programming and Production Diploma which can set you on the path for your radio career. The course covers all you need to know to meet the demands of this growing industry such as content, production and presentation, and through the programme of practical assignments, you’ll learn everything from how to hold a microphone to setting up a complete radio station.

From FET to the New York Radio Festival

BCFE graduate Nathan Walsh began his career on the two-year course and went onto to complete the final year Media Management Production degree.  Since then, he’s made two radio documentaries for RTE Radio Doc on 1, one of which, ‘The Deadly Saris’, began life as a college project and has recently been shortlisted for the prestigious New York Radio Festival competition. The 2021 awards will be held in the Las Vegas Convention Centre in October, and we have all our fingers and toes crossed for Nathan to bring home the top prize!

Climbing the Content Ranks

Jennifer Dollard, another successful graduate, is also celebrating success at Acast.com, one of the worlds’ leading podcast companies, where she’s been promoted to Content Director for Ireland.  In her new position, she’ll lead the company’s podcast development efforts across Ireland. Before branching into the world of podcasting, Jennifer was a producer with Today FM.

Not one to forget her roots, Jennifer often returns to BCFE as a guest lecturer and provided one-to-one guidance to current students, to help them pursue their ambition in radio. As well as helping the students to develop their own podcasts, the students are given their own ACE Acast membership, their own podcast kit and portable recorder, as well as access to podcast and radio production studios to make sure you have all the tools you need to jump start your career.

Where could FET take you?

If you’re considering a career in the media, you can read about other successful FET graduates including Jules Coll, who like Jennifer has found success in the podcast world, and RTE News: Six One’s Sharon Tobin.

Check out all FET courses available on www.fetchcourses.ie and find your path to success.

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