A global sports production company has won a national award for the collaborative work it has conducted with Birmingham City University (BCU) in order to provide work opportunities during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Posted 20 April 2022
Cultivating a new generation of TV professionals
Sunset+Vine secured the AGCAS Award for Excellence in Careers and Employability Service Engagement, part of the TARGET Jobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2022.
Nominated by BCU, Sunset + Vine were recognised for the Host Broadcast Training Initiative (HBTI), which will offer 200 work experience placements on its outside broadcasts and studio productions during the Commonwealth Games this summer.
Delivered in partnership with BCU, Create Central, West Midlands Combined Authorities and Solihull College, the HBTI aims to train up participants in current industry skills gaps specifically targeting underrepresented groups.
Its mission is to leave a legacy of a skilled, diverse and inspired workforce to fuel the next generation of TV industry professionals in the Midlands.
Real-world and long-term benefits
In addition to this real-world experience, trainees will benefit from industry-level skills training across a variety of disciplines including live TV, broadcasting and production.
These placements will culminate in the opportunity to work within the Host Broadcast team in a professional (paid) capacity at the Commonwealth Games.
Game time roles will include Content Creators, Production Co-ordinators, Media Managers, Camera Operators, Edit Assistants, Loggers, Live Gallery PAs, Assistant Floor Managers and Technical roles with S+Vs Outside Broadcast suppliers.
David Tippett, Sunset+Vine Managing Director, said: “The lack of diversity in sports broadcasting is an ongoing issue and this scheme is one way we are looking to play our part in addressing that.
"We are committed to offering real-world industry experience and practical-based training opportunities to under-represented groups in the Midlands.
“This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn the skills needed to kick-start an exhilarating career in sports broadcasting – and what a way to start… on one of the biggest sporting events to be hosted at the heart of Birmingham.”
Award-worthy support
Birmingham City University was also recognised at this year’s AGCAS Awards, being named as a finalist for the Best University Employability Strategy Award for our continued commitment to ensuring all students have access to employability support.
The nomination recognised our various products and services, including:
- STEM-Up - A professional development project that gives you access to free skills workshops and webinars.
- Higher Level Skills Match – Bringing together businesses and students/graduates to solve business challenges, build experience and more.
- Early Years Career Progression Pathways - Enhancing the skills base of employees and help to improve employability within the Early Years sector, working with West Smethwick Enterprise.
- Micro-placements - Funding for students to undertake short placements with local growing businesses.
- Graduate Re-Tune – Helping alumni based in the Birmingham and Solihull areas with one-to-one support with a dedicated Graduate Re-tune adviser.
“We are delighted to hear that Sunset+Vine won the award for the AGCAS Award,” says Matthew Till, Assistant Director at BCU.
“The shared commitment held between Sunset+Vine and BCU on the importance of student employability is what has made this partnership incredibly valuable. It is also these types of collaborations that help support with continuing the important work we are doing as the University for Birmingham.”
