Niki Whittle - Delivery Lead
Why do you think it is important to build a link between Universities & industry?
Currently we're seeing different challenges - universities are seeing low uptake of students applying for tv and media courses, so they have to review how to make the courses more appealing, but also what does content creation look like these days. The industry is crying out for new talent and highlighting that there is a skills shortage and the students who do want to enter the industry say they find it a closed network, with its own unique (maybe outdated?) language and feel overwhelmed with the different technologies and knowing what they should be training themselves up in. By linking up universities and the industry, we can help address these areas, make the broadcast industry exciting again as a career prospect and help better prepare students to get their foot in the door and be ready with fresh new skills that really help fill the gaps that the industry is crying out for.
Why did you want to get involved?
I love an ambitious project! For me, it’s both a personal challenge and an incredible opportunity to collaborate with some amazing industry experts and partners. We’re building an entirely new channel from scratch - complete with cloud production and playout workflows and a live 24-hour studio show. This project also gives countless students the chance to showcase their talent, gain real-world experience in a global live broadcast, and grow their networks alongside fellow students and industry volunteers.
What are you most excited about?
I’m excited for the big day - seeing all our hard work and months of planning finally come to life. I can’t wait to see how the universities’ shows turn out, especially since we’ve given each of them full creative control. Every studio, including Ravensbourne HQ, will be entirely student-led. Our role is simply to support and facilitate the underlying infrastructure that gets their work out into the world!
What do you think the biggest skills challenges & changes are going to be over the next couple of years?
The industry is evolving rapidly, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep up. In previous years, there was time to focus on developing your craft in one specific area. Now, with production budgets being cut, technology advancing at a much faster pace (often without clear industry standardisation, such as in virtual production), and the growing need for adaptability, we’re seeing the rise of the multi-skilled operator.
One of the biggest challenges is that training and education haven’t fully caught up with this pace of change. Students may leave university highly skilled in one area, but the industry now demands multi-disciplinary, tech-savvy operators. That’s why it’s so important for students to understand that learning doesn’t stop once you’ve mastered a tool - it’s about continuously updating your skills as workflows and technologies evolve. NW
What do students have to look forward to?
A career in this industry means stepping into an ever-changing, fast-paced world. Everyone who works in broadcast shares a huge passion for what they do, and each person has a wealth of fascinating career stories because no two days are ever the same. Live environments bring unique challenges that constantly need solving, which makes the work both exciting and rewarding.
For students entering the industry, there’s the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, gain exposure to a wide variety of roles and cutting-edge technologies in production, and most importantly they’ll never be bored!
What do you think the industry will gain from being involved in On Air?
A sneak preview of what the next generation of talent looks like! Every student involved in the project will be credited for their roles and specialisms. The industry will get to see ambitious, driven students who are eager to start their careers and who haven’t shied away from the challenge of leading and creating their own studio show - all within a short turnaround (and let’s not forget, right up against the summer holidays too!).
And hopefully, in the future, this can grow into an opportunity to scale up each year - giving the industry a real chance to get involved, benefit from supporting students, help them build valuable networks, and even create potential work opportunities for graduates.
