A group of young people from Belfast have just completed the first Ant and Dec Prince’s Trust programme in the city.
The TV presenters met with the group of 16 to 25-year-olds earlier this month for the Making it in Media course. It aims to help the next generation of young talent start their careers in the media and entertainment industry.
Content produced by the trainees was showcased at The Crescent in Belfast before they were given signed certificates to recognise their achievements. The young people now have the opportunity to attend an afternoon of job interviews at a Prince’s Trust Get Hired event on July 26.
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Jade Dawson, 20, from Belfast said: “Before this course I have been spending my time working part-time in a coffee shop and caring for my great-grandad at home. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to get into.
"I tried a health and social care course but I just sort of stopped going as I didn’t have a lot of motivation and I knew it wasn’t really what I wanted to do. I did know that I love working with people and I love tv, especially comedy.
"I hadn’t done as well as I hoped in my media studies exam at GCSE, but I felt like this was a second chance to see if I’ve got what it takes. I have loved coming into the Prince’s Trust every day, meeting new people and getting stuck into the practical work with Channel 56.
"It turns out I’m really good at being assertive, with a smile of course, and I’ve taken the role as editor on the production! I’ve never enjoyed a course as much as this and I’m really excited about getting into a job in the media industry after this!”
Another participant from the city, Jac Grogan, 25, said: “I was doing a Creative Media Production HND until about 4 months ago but I couldn’t complete it due to mental health issues.
"I felt really down after I dropped out and was worried I’d missed my shot at a career in the industry. I saw this course advertised on Facebook and just decided to go for it. I came along to the engagement session, then the Taster Day and was thrilled to be given a place.
"It feels like the chance I needed – my time to shine! The routine of coming in everyday, working with others and developing practical skills has been so good for me and it definitely suits my learning style. I feel really focused now towards getting a job. My dream is to be a presenter – so watch this space I might be interviewing you very soon!”
Jamie Watson, 24, also from Belfast, met Ant and Dec at the start of the course and added: “I’ve always like the idea of working in the media but struggled to get anything I applied for and ended up feeling like those sort of jobs were not available to people like me. It really knocked my confidence.
“Getting to meet Ant and Dec at the start of this course, they told us about the doubts and difficulties they faced starting out. Alongside the skills and experience I’ve learnt on the programme has made me feel so much more confident about my future and that my dream can become a reality. It’s been a really great experience for me.”
Angelina Fusco, from local training organisation Channel 56 which helped deliver the programme, said: “We have really enjoyed working with The Prince’s Trust to deliver this course, and it has been wonderful to see the confidence and skills of those involved grow over the past two weeks.
“We have found some real talent here in Belfast, and we cannot wait to see where their careers take them.”
The Prince’s Trust helps thousands of young people each year to build the confidence and skills they need to realise their potential.
To find out more contact The Prince’s Trust on 0800 842 842 or visit The Prince’s Trust website at princes-trust.org.uk.
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