Media students from North Kent College got a first-hand look at the inner workings of one of Kent’s leading local radio stations as part of a brand-new partnership between the College and Made in Kent Radio.
The students visited the Bluewater-based station, which broadcasts to nearly 80,000 listeners across Kent, where presenter Matt Soper gave them a behind-the-scenes tour.
Drawing on his extensive experience, including time with Disney and Heart FM, Matt shared insights into his career, the realities of live broadcasting, and the state-of-the-art equipment used in the studio.
Matt says: "It was fantastic to welcome students from North Kent College to the media academy. Our academy provides students with the opportunity to experience a real working radio environment. It was inspiring to see their enthusiasm and interest in the world of radio. We look forward to welcoming them back to continue learning about the industry and potentially kickstart their journey toward a career in this exciting field."
The visit marked the launch of an exciting new training partnership between North Kent College and Made in Kent Radio. Through this collaboration, media students will have the opportunity to develop key industry skills, preparing them for future careers in media.
As part of the initiative, North Kent College will be the main sponsor of Made in Kent’s Media Academy. The academy provides workshops for young people aged 8 to 25, offering hands-on media training and industry insights. North Kent College students will receive exclusive access to these sessions, which cover a range of topics, from radio presenting and social media to production and technical skills.
Dan Baskerville, Lecturer in Media Studies at North Kent College, says: “This will provide the students with a fantastic insight into the production of a professional radio station. All of the students will have the opportunity to put into practice the skills they have already learned and discover new, industry standard practices.”
The students were equally impressed at the experience. Aman Singh Thind who is taking a Level 2 course in Media - Digital Journalism, says: “Being in a professional studio and learning from someone as skilled and patient as Matt was a brilliant learning experience. It’s given me a real insight into how live radio works and the importance of preparation and collaboration.”
Made in Kent Radio was founded by Matt in 2020 and operates from a studio at Bluewater. It has since grown to become a key platform for aspiring media professionals and broadcasters in the region.
North Kent College offers a number of Media courses at its Tonbridge and Dartford campuses.
The courses cover all aspects of the industry, ranging from presenting, radio, journalism and creative writing to crew and production roles such as a filmmaker, director, or camera operator. It also has its own radio studio, based at the Dartford campus.
To find out more, visit the Creative Media course page of the North Kent College website.
To learn more about Made in Kent, visit the Made in Kent website.