Producing the Post is a big task. Thousands of people in the borough read it to keep up to speed with the latest news, entertainment and sport. You’re reading it right now.
But a group of media-savvy young people reckon they’ve got what it takes to do our jobs for a week.
Today we’re proud to be launching a unique partnership with Barking & Dagenham College that will see some lucky students take control and produce their own edition of Barking and Dagenham’s number one paper.
Create Your Future will see them dealing with every aspect of 21st-century newspaper production, from reporting to photographing, and from selling adverts to news editing. Along the way the successful team will benefit from a series of mentoring sessions held by Post staff.
In addition, two members of the winning team will be offered 10-week paid internships with us across the summer holidays.
Principal and chief executive of the college Cathy Walsh said: “This link with the Post is a great opportunity for students to take part in real work and get the unique chance to experience just what it’s like producing a newspaper.
“We’re an entrepreneurial college always trying to make sure students are work-ready, so this is very exciting.”
Students have been hard at work on their pitches and have until tomorrow (Thursday) to submit them.
A shortlist will be chosen by a panel of experts on Friday and profiled in next week’s paper and online at bdpost.co.uk and london24.com, which is Archant’s (publishers of the Post) London-wide website.
Since her appointment, Cathy has seen the college change dramatically, increasing student success rate by 18 per cent and creating an “employment-ready” ethic that sees more 16 to 18-year-old apprenticeship trainees than any other London college.
Originally from Seafield, just outside Edinburgh, Cathy taught in schools across Europe before spending the past 25 years in London’s further education sector.
Over the past decade or so, a number of Barking & Dagenham College’s alumni have gone on to become household names, not least Hollywood actor Idris Elba and Olympic sprinter Adam Gemili.
They show the college places a great emphasis on helping students follow their dreams and realise their full potential.
“Adam’s a fantastic young man,” Cathy added.
“He came from a home with plenty of support and was always hungry to succeed.
“He’ll get a medal for Team GB in Rio [at the 2016 Olympics] without a doubt.”
Over the coming weeks the Post will be bringing you inspirational stories and exclusive interviews from Barking & Dagenham College.
Some of the names will be familiar to readers with alumni including the acclaimed actor Idris Elba, famous for portraying Nelson Mandela on the big screen, sprint star Adam Gemili and Eastenders actor Ricky Norwood.
While others may be less well-known, their feats are no less impressive as many talented entrepreneurial minds prepare to stamp their mark on the business world.
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