College help promote Birmingham Tech Week through innovative press office

Students from BMet became part of a buzzing press office to capture the events that took part throughout the Birmingham Tech Week.

The press office was set up by PR Agency EAST VILLAGE (EV), PR partner for Birmingham Tech Week.

Birmingham Tech Week gives people the chance to participate in technology-focused events at various venues across the region and to hear the latest insights on tech from 150 leading speakers in their field.

Learners joining ‘Team EV’ got to experience real life work in a press office setting and were responsible for writing press releases and blog posts covering the day’s hot topics, capturing real-time footage in the form of photos, videos and vox pops; and arranging and hosting interviews with the festival’s key players, attendees, and members of the public.

Tizk, a digital media student at James Watt College said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the press team and my role of a photographer has been fantastic!

“I am happy that I have been able to cover every event and that I have been able to work with EAST VILLAGE who have been very supportive and have helped me to gain new skills.

“It was like a real-life work environment which included some hiccups, but I am pleased that we overcame any challenges and were able to produce some good work to showcase events.”

Anaya, who is studying film studies as part of her A Levels at Sutton Coldfield College said:
“I am having an amazing experience this week, as being part of a busy press team has helped me enhance my interviewing and photography skills.

“I have enjoyed working alongside peers across BMet and influential tech experts. I have also been able to learn about new technologies that I have not previously known about and have steered away from.

“As a result of the media activities that I have been involved, I feel even more keen to pursue a career in journalism.”

Hattie D’Souza, director of People and Culture at EAST VILLAGE, commented on the partnership: “EAST VILLAGE. has been so proud to work with BMet on this project, helping students to gain real-world experience in a live-and-kicking press office.

“Our team welcomed over 60 students this week, supporting and guiding them as they became the eyes and ears on the ground at Birmingham Tech Week, capturing all the action from the five-day festival.

“We look forward to being able to support our city’s bright sparks again in the very near future – here’s to the next one!”

Other highlights included a competitive Hackathon organised with leading local tech company, Advanced, at the Mailbox in Birmingham - set up to provide a great opportunity to inspire innovation in students, help them develop, apply skills in AI, improve team-working abilities and boost their CVs.

You can find out more details about BMet’s employer partnerships on the college’s  website.

Click here to read more BMet stories on Birmingham Tech Week.