Course Outline

The Phase One Radio Skills Course will provide an introduction to the Radio Industry. The training course includes a wide variety of topics and will teach students the basics of all the key areas necessary to begin a career in radio.

The course is ideal for Students who are interested in a career in radio, or those who previously worked in the industry and are looking for a short refresher course.

By the end of the two week course students will have studied various different topics including, script writing for radio, interview techniques, audio production and the basics of broadcast engineering. They will also have experience using the synergy content management software and  play-out system.

They will also have presented a 1 hour show, which will be included on an audio CD along with the other elements of production that they have created.

Phase One Radio also provides further training which can be done on a voluntary basis and is an ideal way to gain work experience in a radio environment.

Course Breakdown

The Phase One Radio Skills Course will consist of these main units of study

• Unit RS1 –           How radio works and operates
• Unit RS2 –           Introduction to Play-out Systems
• Unit RS3 –           Introduction to broadcast engineering
• Unit RS4 –           Developing Interview skills and technique
• Unit RS5 –           The role of Social Media in the Radio Industry
• Unit RS6 –           Introduction to Audio Production
• Unit RS7 –           Present & Produce a Radio Programme
• Unit RS8 –           Prepare for Employment in the Radio Industry

How Radio Works and Operates

• Different types of radio – Commercial, BBC, Community Radio
• What is Community Radio – how it got started, how it’s different, restrictions
• What is Ofcom
• PRS and PPL
• Target Audience
• Radio Conduct – Swearing, Slander, Ethics
• Roles and responsibilities within a Radio Station

Introduction to Play-out Systems

• Introduction to the different types of Content Management and Playout System – Enco, Myriad, Synergy, Dira!, RCS
• Synergy Production – Importing, Exporting, Editing
• Scheduling – Clocks, Categories

Introduction to Broadcast Engineering

• How is Sound Transmitted and Definition of commonly used term
• How Playout systems work
• Networking radio stations/programmes
• Associated Data transport

Developing Interview skills and techniques

• Interview Preparation
• Researching relevant sources of information
• Different types of questions
• Studio Recording
• Portable Recording
• Editing recorded audio for broadcast
• Evaluating Interview

The role of Social Media in the Radio Industry

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Youtube
• Blogging
• Tune in Radio, UK Radio Player

Introduction to Audio Production

• Introduction to digital editing
• Different types of audio production – Vox-pops, Jingles, Idents, Stabs, Sweepers
• Promos
• Introductory editing task
• Creating Idents
• Creating Sweepers
• Evaluating Audio Editing Skills

Present & Produce a Radio Programme

• Writing for Radio – 30 second scripting, 15 minute show, 1 hour show
• Evaluating Ideas
• Presenting tips
• Running Order
• On Air Roles
• Live Show
• Evaluating Performance

Prepare for Employment in the Radio Industry

• Career development plan
• Example position – broadcast assistant
• Researching job roles and responsibilities