Learning Waves 2023: A Year in Review.
As we bid farewell to 2023, it's the perfect time to pause and celebrate the incredible journey of learning, innovation, and development that Learning Waves has been on. In 2023, the delivery of training returned to a blend of in-person and online training, the quality of courses delivered remained at a high level and new courses were developed during the year. Join us in this retrospective journey as we highlight the milestones that shaped 2023.
Key Performance Indicators
In 2023, Learning Waves achieved remarkable success in aligning with its key performance indicators, significantly impacting the radio industry's workforce. Throughout the year, a total of 2,068 training days were delivered, benefiting 530 dedicated trainees employed across 42 member companies. Underscoring the commitment to recruitment, Learning Waves also extended its outreach to unemployed individuals aspiring to join the radio sector, delivering 472 training days to 32 people.
Learning Waves secures Skillnet Ireland Funding for 2023-2025
Learning Waves secured funding from Skillnet Ireland for 3 years. The core funding under the networks main Training Networks Programme (TNP) was secured. Under a range of funding strands from Skillnet Ireland, additional funding was granted to the network for various projects throughout the year. The funding allowed Learning Waves to build on the progress achieved over the last 3 years, in which the network supported members as they navigated through the pandemic.
Teresa Hanratty, Project Manager of Learning Waves, said that securing the funding is ‘testament to the sectors commitment to the training and development of the people working in the sector.’
Sectoral Development Funding secured for 2023
In January 2023, Learning Waves secured Sectoral Development funding from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, now Coimisiún na Meán to continue its work in the area of Sustainability, Gender, Equality and Diversity across the sector. This funding has allowed the development of toolkits and training programmes in these areas. In addition to this, training in this area has also been provided to all member organisations.
Funding Secured for Journalism Graduate Programme 2023
The funding for the Journalism Graduate programme was secured from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, now Coimisiún na Meán in January 2023. The Journalism Graduate Programme is also supported by funding from participating radio stations. In addition to this, funding from Skillnet Ireland supported the design and delivery of a tailored training programme for the graduates while on placement. The programme is now ceritified by the London College of Music and on successful completion graduates will receive a Broadcast Journalism Diploma.
RadioDays Ireland 2023
Radio Days Ireland is a unique 2-day conference designed and delivered by Learning Waves in partnership with the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland(IBI). Radiodays Ireland took place on 16th and 17th of February 2023 in the Gibson Hotel, Dublin. Over the 2 days participants 35 companies, heard from 25 speakers who covered a variety of topics such as the resilience of radio, the power of audio branding, audience insights, branding and monetising podcasts, well-being, mental health, promotions, leadership and much more. Many radio icons spoke at the conference including Pat Kenny, Newstalk, James O’Brien, LBC, and Angie Greaves, Smooth Radio UK, offering insights and advice learned from their careers.
Learning Waves TY Media Week won Best Youth-Led Media Literacy Intervention at the Media Literacy Ireland Awards 2023
Media Literacy Ireland(MLI) is an independent association of members committed to the promotion of media literacy across Ireland. The aim of the MLI awards is to recognise and raise awareness of the magnificent work that has been done in Ireland to promote media literacy. The Learning Waves TY Media Week provides Transition Year Students with a unique opportunity to get involved in the creation of content for broadcast on radio stations across the country.
MLI recognised the success of this project and the judges noted: “We were impressed by the use of an immersive learning environment to equip young people with the skills to tell their own stories. With innovative and creative methodologies, it demonstrated a hands-on approach to developing media literacy skills while creating content.” The awards were presented in March 2023.
Learning Waves Welcomes New Trainers
In 2023, Learning Waves welcomed new, creative and dynamic trainers to its training panel. These talented trainers brought a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives. The new trainers included:
- Maria Tecce, The Lir Academy
- Jane McDaid, THINKHOUSE
- Dr. Karen Weekes, Adventurer and Sports Pyschologist
- Claire Hyland, THINKHOUSE
- Laura Costello, THINKHOUSE
- Donagh Humphreys, THINKHOUSE
- Ralph Van Dijk, EarDrum
- Tara Rafter, The Navigation Coach
- Dynamic Training Events
Hannah Casey: Learning Waves Digital Content Creator
In April, Hannah Casey joined the team at Learning Waves as Digital Content Creator and Administrator.
TY Media Week 2023
Learning Waves TY Media Week has been a major success across 2022 and 2023. 13 radio stations hosted 258 students across 168 schools across the two academic years. Each year the demand for places on this programme grows with over 687 applications across 2022 and 2023 for 258 places. The transition year students across the stations created unique content covering their interests in topics such as mental health, social media and sustainability.
Learning Waves AGM
Learning Waves Chairperson Patricia Monahan welcomed the newly appointed Media Development Commissioner, Rónán Ó Domhnaill to their AGM in May 2023 and to his first industry event. Also, at the AGM Anne Marie Carroll, Financial Controller from Classic Hits and Nova was appointed to the Board of Learning Waves for 2 years.
Establishment of Senior Management Alumni
In May 2023, the first Senior Management Alumni event took place in Dublin with Russell and Alison Beck. The event saw 20 senior managers who had completed the Senior Management Training programme in 2022 come together to network, to share ideas and to discuss opportunities and challenges facing managers across the sector.
Training Event with Ours to Protect
In May 2023, the Ours to Protect project was launched by IBI. This is a radio and audio project spearheaded by IBI in which 23 local and regional radio stations broadcast new and unique programmes over the course of a year, all devoted to climate change and climate action. Learning Waves hosted a workshop on Communicating Climate Change for participating stations and have been supporting the project since its launch.
RadioTalks Podcast Launch
In June 2023, Learning Waves re-launched their industry podcast, RadioTalks. Hosted by Andy Matthews and produced by Hannah Casey, this podcast is the go-to platform for industry news, announcements and discussions. Since its launch there have been 14 episodes covering a variety of topics from career advice, emerging technologies, and celebrating achievements.
Manage | Lead | Inspire – Senior Management Training
Learning Waves delivered its pilot programme, Manage | Lead | Inspire, from May to November. Russell and Alison Beck, from Imagine ThinkDo, delivered the programme for Senior Managers across the Independent Commercial Radio sector in Ireland. In its third year, the programme stands as a beacon of success within the Independent Radio Sector in Ireland. This course allows participants the time to invest in themselves, to enhance their skills and to enable them to unlock the human potential in their respective organisations. This year in-person training returned to the delivery of this course. There were 4 workshops spread out across the 6 months.
Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion(GEDI) Cross Sectoral Working Group Established
In September 2023, a working group representative of Learning Waves and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, was established to review the draft GEDI strategy for the industry. The group is being facilitated by Garrett Harte from Harte Media and a draft strategy will be reviewed by the industry in January 2024 prior to adoption by the sector. Members of the working group are Cormac O'Halloran, CEO, Galway Bay FM, Patricia Monahan, Managing Editor, Newstalk, Sean Ashmore, CEO, Sunshine Radio, Fionnuala Rabbitt, Managing Director, Highland Radio, Ger Gilroy, Managing Director, Off the Ball, Joanne Huban, Director of People and Culture, Bauer Media Audio Ireland, Brian McCarthy, Operations and Group Commercial Director, Wireless Group, Gabrielle Cummins, CEO, Beat 102-103 and John Purcell, CEO, KCLR 96FM.
Learning Waves wins Best Graduate Development Initiative at Learning and Development Awards
In September 2023, Learning Waves won Best Graduate Development Initiative for its Journalism Graduate Programme at the Learning & Development Institute’s Excellence in Learning Awards. The Awards are recognised as the premier Learning and Development event for the industry. The purpose of the Awards is to promote excellence, best practice and innovation in training and learning & development, and to highlight the importance of this area in today’s business climate.
New Journalism Graduate Programme Recruits
During September 2023 and in a significant step towards nurturing the future of journalism in Ireland, ten promising journalism students were chosen to embark on paid placements at 10 independent radio stations around the country, as part of the award-winning Learning Waves Journalism Graduate Programme. In its fourth year, the programme gave 10 graduates the unique opportunity to complete a five-month paid placement at a radio station.
The participating broadcasters and graduates were chosen following an application process that began in March 2023. A total of 15 broadcasters' applications and 45 student applications were received. The student applications were shortlisted and interviewed by a panel of representatives from Learning Waves and the industry. The successful candidates took up their placements in September and will showcase their work in February 2024.
This programme is part funded by Coimisiún na Meán’s Sectorial Learning and Development Innovation Scheme. Under the 2023 scheme, a total of €47,000 was awarded to Learning Waves to operate the programme. The award constitutes a significant increase on the initial programme funding amount, which will benefit the interns directly and contribute towards their living expenses while they undertake their placements.
Media Days Munich
In October 2023, Teresa Hanratty, Project Manager at Learning Waves, spoke at the Media Days 2023 event in Munich, Germany. Teresa spoke about the Journalism Graduate Programme and how it is a unique programme that brings the sector, the industry regulator and third level institutes together to find new journalist talent. Teresa was joined on the panel by Dr. Iva Krtalic from Westdeutscher Rundfunk and Bjarke Calvin from Duckling.
The ‘Medientage Müchen’ is known as one of the most important German conferences in the media and film industry and attracts several thousand participants every year. It plays an important role in networking experts, companies and stakeholders in the media industry since then. The conference provided a platform for discussion, presentations as well as workshops on topics such as media innovations, digital transformation, content production, media law, social media, streaming and more.
Learning Waves at Higher Options
Teresa Hanratty, Project Manager at Learning Waves, spoke at Higher Options 2023 in September 2023. At this event, Learning Waves had the opportunity to share with students the work they do in relation to recruiting new talent into the media industry and the potential career paths for second level students. Teresa was joined on the stage with Jim Vaughan from Atlantic Technological University and Alex Milton from the National College of Art and Design.
Leading as a Producer Certificate
In November, 11 participants from across the independent radio sector took part in the Leading as a Producer Course. Led by Patrick Haughey, Sue Ellis, Jane Kinghorn and Garrett Harte, this course gives radio producers the opportunity to optimise their current skills and to learn new skills. More info here
As we conclude this journey, Learning Waves extends heartfelt gratitude to all that contributed to our shared success. This year brought growth and triumph, reminding us of the resilience and innovation that define the radio industry. Here's to continued learning, collaboration, and the boundless possibilities that await us in the ever-evolving world of radio.
Journalism Graduate Programme Official Launch in Galway Bay FM
The Journalism Graduate Programme 2023 was officially launched in November in Galway Bay FM. The 2023 graduates, representatives from participating stations and a selection of speakers gathered at the event. The programme was officially launched by Sinead Crowley and Stephanie Comey from Coimisiún na Meán. The event was hosted by Galway Bay FM and was a creative, exciting and energetic event. Following the launch, the graduates participated in a training event hosted by Jackie Neill from Headgirl Media and Garrett Harte from Harte Media.
In wrapping up 2023, Project Manager, Teresa Hanratty paid tribute to all of those who have supported Learning Waves in 2023, in particular the member organisations, funding organisations, Skillnet Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán and partner organisations, the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and Radiocentre Ireland. Hanratty concluded by saying that, " 2023 was an extremely busy year for the network, it was a year that saw a return to in-person training which has been hugely beneficial and through the development and support of funding organisations and partner organisations the network went from strength to strength seeing a significant increase in demand for training and development opportunities across the sector. I look forward to 2024 with optimism, to building on projects commenced in 2023 once funding has been secured for 2024 and to working with everyone in the sector to make 2024 the best it can be from a training, learning and networking perspective."