Media trainers enlisted to aid university’s external engagement plans

University College Birmingham has hired Kings Heath-based media trainers Hayes Collins Media to prepare their academic and staff leaders to talk on TV and radio.

The training delivered by Hayes Collins Media is part of a wider programme of activities the University is undertaking to increase external engagement and profile in the region and on the national stage.

The team at University College Birmingham have been working to enhance existing and develop new links with regional business, organisations and communities, sharing insights and opportunities on key developments at the University including the launch of their new Centre for Sustainable Construction Skills and the upcoming Sixth Form Centre.

Rebecca Hollington, director of External Engagement and Communications at University College Birmingham, said: “There are amazing things happening at University College Birmingham and it’s important for us to be able to support our academic and wider staff community in sharing this with our communities.

“We are proud of the work of our University and the contributions we and our students make to our region. We wanted to use a local business who understood our region and our people to help communicate this message better, and bigger.”

Sandra Collins, director of Hayes Collins Media, said: “We’ve worked all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica. We’ve helped organisations as diverse as L’Oréal, Stagecoach Buses and Barnardo’s get their story across on broadcast media, but for us, it’s a real treat to be working in our home city for a change.

“We’re proud to be helping a local team to talk clearly on TV and radio. We know that great communication is a skill, not a talent. Very few are born with it, but we can all develop it through practising. And that’s what we’re helping the leaders of University College Birmingham to do. It’s very rewarding and when we see and hear them appear on TV and radio we feel like proud parents.”

Phil Hayes, director of Hayes Collins Media, said: “We use realistic equipment, including a massive camera to keep up the intimidation factor and get them used to what appearing on the media is really like.

“However, we know that people need to be supported to do their best, so although we cover difficult stories with hard-hitting questions, we also offer supportive feedback to give everyone the chance to grow.

“We’re also covering how to appear on podcasts – a very different skill to TV news – and how to do your own smartphone filming, because the media landscape is always changing and we all have to keep pace with it.”

Pictured: Phil Hayes and Sandra Collins