Developing Student Employability in the West Midlands Creative Economy

1. Developing Student Employability in the West Midlands Creative Economy Matt Grimes: Degree Leader Music Industries / Senior Lecturer in Music Industries and Radio Craig Hamilton: Visiting Lecturer Music Industries

2. BA Media and Communication: Music Industries Pathway Major / Minor Theory / Practice Other pathways remain open Tailored degree program Creating ‘work-ready’ graduates and entrepreneurs

3. BA Media and Communication: Other Pathways Broad Course PR Journalism Events and Exhibition Management Radio New Media Photography TV and Video Production

4. Music Industries Modules •       Music Industry Skills •       New Media Platforms •       The Music Business •       Music On-Line •       Music Promotion and PR •       Music Television & Promo Video •       Music Programming (radio and on-line) •       Music Journalism •       Popular Music Culture •       Music Industry Enterprise

5. BCU Parkside Purpose-built campus in Bham city centre Situated at Millennium Point Close to Eastside District 4 TV studios, 6 Radio studios, editing suites, all integrated #bcuparkside

6. PFS (Partners For Success) University-wide initiative to improve student employability, engagement and retention 3-year scheme (on-going support) Cross-faculty partnerships Resources (space, equipment) for implementing ideas Media places are over-subscribed (5-1) but numbers are increasing (250 2013, 180 2012)

7. Parkside Media Group Initially began as an idea around the MI pathway (Record Label, Events Company) Developed into wider media group involving students/staff from different pathways and faculties New business incubation, internal market, external engagement Partnerships with local/national industry Timely: UK Music Skills Academy, Bham City Council activity

8. Parkside Media Group PFS Project plan: Y1 – R&D, Pilots Y2 – Scaleability Y3 – Operation and Evaluation

9. Parkside Media Group

10. Parkside Media Group Media Companies operated by Students (Record Companies, Web Design, PR, Video Production) Cross-faculty engagement (Law, Finance, Design) Industry partners on advisory boards Live Music events (Rooftop terrace, Atrium) Music Industry Conference Schools Radio Project Film Screening (co-ordinated ‘Seasons’)

11. Example Incubation Company Structure

12. Pilot Project: Birmingham Intl Jazz Festival 2013 29th instance of festival, 150 acts from across the world, 60+ venues, 1 week Budget/Sponsorship cuts – PR/Marketing needs Team of 8 students for 1 month Creation of documents (H&S, Mem. Of Understanding, etc) Agreed objectives/goals, clear lines of communication, evaluation process, feedback

13. Parkside Media Group: Pilot – Bham Intl Jazz Festival

14. Pilot Findings: Positives Formalisation of the process led to a smooth running of the pilot Evaluation and relevance to the curriculum = greater student buy-in. Students able to tailor involvement around career goals Students aware they were representing BCU as well as themselves Some students sought and took greater responsibility (Team Leader roles) Students saw immediate results of their work

15. Pilot Findings: Less Positive / Developmental Partner highlighted gaps in the Students’ skills: Productivity; Time Management; Planning Student expectations of the workplace, its environment and dynamics differ from the reality We need to be more realistic about what a Partner can actually offer students. BCU need to better manage the expectations of the Placement Partner and be more mindful to make the Placement fit the needs of the organisation, rather than the other way around.

16. Workshop: We would be keen to hear your thoughts on: The PFS / Media Group Model as a whole The work undertaken so far (Pilot Scheme) Ways in which to address problems highlighted by pilot

17. Thank you. Matt Grimes: matt.grimes@bcu.ac.uk @matt_grimes Craig Hamilton: craig.hamilton@bcu.ac.uk @craigfots