Former BBC News Director Inspires Students Through Chelmsford College Visit

Learners from Chelmsford College’s Creative Industries department recently received an inspiring guest talk from Richard Murrell, former BBC News Director for over 40 years, through the ‘Speakers for Schools’ scheme.

Richard spoke to approximately 90 learners studying creative industry courses, sharing insights from his working experiences and extensive career at the BBC. His talk gave learners a behind-the-scenes look on all things media, TV and broadcast as he discussed the fast-paced environment of the industry and the creativity that goes into this exciting career.

Learners had the opportunity to ask questions about working in the media industry, from the skills employers look for to how to get started in such a competitive field.

Ahead of the talk, Richard enjoyed an exclusive tour of Chelmsford College’s state-of-the-art creative facilities, including the immersive Igloo space, podcast suite and film studio. Chelmsford College staff were proud to showcase its professional-grade resources to Richard and impressed by the enthusiasm learners showed.

Overall, it was a fantastic opportunity for Chelmsford College learners to hear from someone with real industry experience and gain insight into the world of media and TV production. Chelmsford College works closely with employers and industry professionals across departments to make sure learners gain real insight into what it’s like to work in their chosen field. Through guest talks like this one, live projects, industry visits and partnerships with organisations, learners gain first-hand experience of what employers are looking for. This approach helps bridge the gap between education and employment, preparing learners with the skills and confidence they need to stand out when they leave College and take their next step into the world of work.

Graham Woollard, Deputy Head of Department – Digital Technologies & Creative Industries, who helped organise the talk proudly expressed "We were delighted to welcome someone as prestigious as Richard Murrell at Chelmsford College to talk to our Media learners. All our learners found his talk very engaging and inspirational."

If you are an employer or know of any professionals interested in supporting Chelmsford College, please visit: Chelmsford College | Insights into Industry | Pass it on