Anglo-Polish community radio broadcaster Radio ORLA.fm has teamed up with Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College to provide budding media students with the chance to try their skills at radio broadcasting and production.

Starting in January 2010, Radio ORLA.fm which has helped set-up a radio studio at the College’s Ealing campus, will begin offering practical assignments to 16-18 year-old media students whose two-year BTEC National Diploma in Media Production course encompasses television, film, photography and web design as well as radio.  The studio will also be the new home of Anglo-Polish cultural show "London Bridge" hosted by George Matlock on Radio ORLA.fm.

Thanks to the partnership between the College and the radio station, students will be given plenty of opportunities to produce their own radio show material, see how a show is hosted, meet special studio guests and get the chance to vote on how the show was handled by the host! The students will conduct their coursework in English with the help of professional English-language staff.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to work with experienced radio journalists on projects which go out on a broadcasting radio station," said Paula Whittle, Principal of Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College.

"The skills and contacts students gain with us and Radio ORLA.fm in these work placements give them a head start in their careers working in the media industry.  The Ealing Institute of Media at Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College prides itself on equipping students with the skills they need to become highly employable."

Students’ radio production skills will be perfected in the College’s modern, purpose-built facilities which include in-house TV and film studios, and sits next door to the world-famous Ealing Film Studios. The College has invested £10 million in its Ealing Institute of Media which was launched in December 2005 by ex-Director of the BBC Greg Dyke, and will hopefully lead to some multi-media collaboration with Radio ORLA.fm in the future.
 
"As a community broadcaster which has been in the local area for four years Radio ORLA.fm is delighted to be putting something tangible back into the community it serves," said George Matlock, host of London Bridge and director of Radio ORLA.

"Although an ethnic broadcaster, we are the only Polish radio station that is also bi-lingual and this makes it possible to deliver our experience to a predominantly English-speaking campus."