Training Course

Day 1 of the course begins with a number of introductory activities designed to break the ice and to find out more about each of the participants. We'll introduce you to the Zetland FM team members who will be leading the course, tell you about Zetland FM and how we provide our programme service across the Teesside area. You'll then participate in some introductory activities, using basic interview techniques to find out more about each other.

We'll then move into the Zetland FM studios at the Redcar Beacon, and take a detailed look at our on-air studios. You'll learn about the functions of the various pieces of equipment in the studio, take a look at our computerised playout system, get your hands on the studio equipment, and get to have a go at speaking into the microphone like a professional presenter!

Day 2 of the course will introduce you to the concept of vox-pops. You will learn valuable tips and tricks for interview techniques and the best way to get the most out of the person you are interviewing. We'll also look at how to choose the best subjects for vox-pops, and discuss legal and ethical requirements. You'll then head out into Redcar to record your own vox-pops with members of the public using our portable equipment.

We'll then return to our studios at the Redcar Beacon where you will learn how to download and edit your vox-pops, how to use editorial judgement to select the most impactful quotes, how to use digital editing software, and how to produce a short vox-pop montage. You might even hear your work broadcast on Zetland FM, as we'll be looking for the best vox-pops to be included in our local news bulletin the following day!

Day 3 of the course will focus on journalism and local news. You will learn about the value of local news, how to identify what makes a good news story, and how to identify between primary and secondary sources. You'll learn about ethics and accuracy, we'll touch on basic broadcast law including libel, contempt and privacy, and will look at how to construct a journalistic interview.

You will then learn how to put together a news running order using the 'inverted pyramid' style, how to write a broadcast-ready news script, writing for the ear, not the eye, and learn about the legal side requirements of local news. You'll then learn valuable tip and tricks on how to introduce and interview a studio guest for a news segment.

Day 4 of the course will focus on the role of a radio presenter. You'll learn how a presenter is a communicator rather than a performer, understand the concept of the listener of one, and will learn what values and qualities make a good radio presenter.

You will also about microphone technique, how to sound confident and develop your own style, how to design show features and competitions which encourage listener interaction, and how to build a running order that balances speech, music and other programme features. You will learn about Ofcom's Broadcasting Code and will also learn the importance of timekeeping and programme clocks.

Day 5 of the course will focus on magazine programmes. You will learn about the different format of magazine programmes, and the different roles required to create a successful magazine programme. You will learn how to construct a programme running order and clock, including speech, music and other programme content, how to allocate production roles based on individual strengths, how to establish a music policy that fits a specific brand or demographic, and how to ensure individual programme elements fit together in a cohesive flow.

You will learn how to produce a 30-second show promo, and how to record station idents that reinforce the brand of the magazine programme. You will learn how to draft professional guest invitations and put together pre-interview briefing notes. You will also learn how to apply a compliance filter to planned features to ensure compliance with Ofcom regulation, and will learn the importance of audio level consistency for high-quality output.

Day 6 of the course is your chance to broadcast live on the air! Using all the skills you have learned up to now, you and your team will put together an hour-long magazine programme which will be broadcast live on Zetland FM between 6-7pm.

We'll begin with a team meeting where the roles will be assigned, and then you will spend the day arranging guests, recording, editing, producing, making features and undertaking studio operation. After rehearsing your programme, you will go live on Zetland FM for an hour whilst your family, friends, and our listeners across Teesside get the chance to tune in!

The Zetland FM team will be on hand throughout the day to give advice and assistance, but it is very much down to you to make sure that the live broadcast goes to plan!