Unity Radio’s New Talent Academy are looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead, following on from a positive first full year.
2022 saw 87 learners in total joining New Talent Academy, with 10 going into further education, 25 taking on volunteering roles, and 19 going into employment. This includes progressing into roles such as presenting for Unity Radio and BBC Radio One.
With a 20-year history and 30,000 weekly listeners, Unity Radio broadcasts dance and urban music on 92.8FM, DAB and online. Having started life as a pirate radio station, Unity Radio is proud of its grass roots and authentic reputation across the community.
Based in HOST at Media City, Unity Radio’s New Talent Academy provides ‘real life learning’ to young people and adults in Greater Manchester.
Not only has New Talent Academy been offering vocational education, training, and pre-employment provision since launching in 2021, but it also gives learners the opportunity to present their own weekly radio show. Broadcast live on Unity Radio, learners are given practical experience of producing and presenting. They also become peer leaders in their community.
In addition to technical skills, New Talent Academy also teaches skills such as leadership, collaboration, resilience, problem solving and communication. Throughout the course, learners interact with industry professionals and locally known artists, who can provide unique insights into the industry. All courses are taught by experienced facilitators with first-hand industry experience.
As well as professional success, New Talent Academy is celebrating a proven track record of improving wellbeing amongst learners. This includes reducing a range of risk-taking activities, such as going missing from home, self-harming, and antisocial behaviour.
New Talent Academy is now forming relationships with other providers for onward pathways into longer term employment, education, and training.
“Our New Talent Academy is a unique accredited outcome-led education, training, and wellbeing center. With a focus on the creative, media and digital industries there are few learning centers that can combine both learning following by training in a working environment. Access to Unity Radio is what makes the difference, improving confidence, developing the transferable skills for young people and supporting them into longer term pathways” said Lee Dinsdale, Director of North West Media
