Training is at the heart of what we do at Somer Valley FM. We want as many different people in our community to get their voice and the voice of their group heard across our region! Whether a child, a young person or an adult, we have training facilities designed to meet your needs and aspirations in a happy and safe environment.

University Work Placements

Somer Valley FM has offered work placements to Bath Spa University students for many years. In 2019 6 students came for 120 hour work placements running from January to May. Typically students were doing Business, Marketing, Creative Writing and Event Management oriented degrees. Students completed a number of marketing, administrative and creative tasks that  made a substantial difference to the work of a social enterprise. Students work directly with Dom Chambers who is a thirty year broadcast professional and has substantial experience of the charity and non-profit sectors. As well as running Somer Valley FM Dom is CEO of the Somer Valley Education Trust, the Chair of the Local Radio Alliance and is on the boards of The Radio Academy, The Community Media Association and Somer Valley FM. Here’s what some of the students had to say:

Ross Evans (Business management & marketing): Dom has guided me through my placement and provided me with knowledge and wisdom that will be with me through my entire career.

Daniel Hall (Business management & marketing): Dom took my work placement for university and the experience was incredibly valuable. Dom’s keen eye for detail has developed my writing technique to a very high standard, a brilliant skill to be able to take to any future career. I would recommend Somer Valley FM and Dom’s training programmes to anyone wanting to learn valuable life and work skills. 10/10 experience!

Charlie Penfold (Business Analyst): I have been working at Somer Valley FM for the past few weeks and I have loved it! Dom is a great role model and teacher. Thank you Dom!   

For anyone interested in a university work placement at Somer Valley FM please contact Dom Chambers  manager@somervalleyfm.co.uk or call 01761 411222

Traineeships

Traineeships are a fantastic opportunity for 16-24 year olds wanting to start their careers in IT, Business, marketing or media. This puts you on the right pathway for apprenticeship or full time employment. Working with Bath College, or another education partner, successful applicants can expect to spend 1 day a week on the college employability course. The remaining days are spent in work placement at Somer Valley FM. Options include a non accredited employability course and functional skills in maths and English. To apply CLICK HERE

After School Training

For school students we have an in-house training course designed to introduce candidates to all areas of radio production including:

· Presenting

· Editing

· Reporting

· Technical Operations

· Interviewing

Training is available for school years 8-13.

Full details available on request.

Adult Training

There are many reasons why people want to volunteer at Somer Valley FM. It could be your hobby at the end of a working day or an outlet for musical knowledge. For adults we offer customised training that is tailored to your availability and what you would like to do for the station. Why not have a chat with our station manager about how to get involved?

Somer Valley FM strives to facilitate an environment where everybody achieves their ambitions. We are proactively inclusive of adults with physical or learning difficulties and are wheelchair compliant. We pride ourselves on having lower barriers to entry than other media networks.

Please contact us for further information as Somer Valley FM works with a number of charities which help people lead the life of their choosing.

Professional Media Training

Are you ever required to speak to the media on your employers behalf? Do you need to talk confidently on the radio with a positive message that presents you and your employers in the best way? Somer Valley FM offers training for groups who need to interact with media. Working with industry professionals our training days cover everything from writing a good press release to handling awkward interviews. Using our professional broadcast studios our training is designed to replicate an authentic media setting of BBC or Commercial networks. Clients include Bath & North East Somerset Council and NHS B&NES CCG.

Pathway To Employment

Somer Valley FM has a specific training strand for young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) and Job Seeker adults. Pathway To Employment (P2E) uses radio training, and the development of communication and media skills, as a means to employment. All skills and experience gained are transferable making P2E a firm basis to develop a career or your choice. It’s fun, flexible and open to people who want to maximise their career and job prospects. Training is customised to individual needs and includes working out the steps to take into employment. Trainees can also benefit from Somer Valley FM’s networks across the region.

Supported by The Somer Valley Education Trust CIO

Come Along

Why not come along and see for yourself how community broadcasting works in our offices and studios! We are always happy to show anyone who might be interested in volunteering around, and then we can discuss your training needs.

To get the ball rolling contact the station manager on manager@somervalleyfm.co.uk or fill out the volunteering form by clicking here.

Somer Valley FM is proud to have trained over 500 people of our region, since 2008!