On a recent visit to Oldham College, Jim McMahon OBE MP, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, toured our fantastic facilities and recorded an interview in our state-of-the-art podcast studio.
Following a welcome from Simon Jordan, Principal, Jim visited the Digital & Creative Centre for a tour of our new broadcasting facilities, including TV, radio and podcast studios.
Jim then met Level 3 Media learners Mario and Jake, who conducted a podcast interview with Jim about his career journey and the importance of the media industry to Oldham’s communities, as Labour MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton.
Jim highlighted how important Oldham College is for thousands of young people building their careers – reflecting on his own beginnings as an Oldham College Media Production apprentice nearly 30 years ago.
He says: “If I could go back in time, I would tell my younger self that education matters… What further education does – and what Oldham College does well – is to support people with the technical, practical skills that they need to…thrive and progress through [their career].
“We’re [sitting] in a state-of-the-art studio… when I go in to the BBC or ITV to do an interview, this is the [type of] room that I sit in. This is the investment that’s being made in [young people]. It’s the softer things [too], it’s the tutor that doesn’t give up, it’s the life and professional experience that they’re bringing from industry.”
In the interview, Jim recognises that digital & creative careers are rising in importance, as the media landscape is changing. He says: “Now, everything is media…Increasingly, [content creators] are where people get their news from… Because that’s driving footfall, that’s changed the nature of advertising, the nature of where money flows through the system – I think it’s really exciting.”
Jim also shared his inspiring career progression, working his way from youth member of the area committee at the time to cabinet member and council leader.
You can listen to the full episode here:
