More than 300 attend Radio Fast Train day

Around 330 radio professionals came together for a day of free training and networking at Radio Fast Train this week.

Delegates, including Radio One DJ Scott Mills and the BBC’s Director of Audio and Music Tim Davie took part in 12 master classes.

The event, which was hosted and produced by the BBC Academy in partnership with Skillset and in association with The Radio Academy, Radio Independents Group, Sound Women, RadioCentre, Community Media Association and BECTU, took place on Tuesday.

There were also more than 100 free training sessions on topics ranging from podcasting to finance for freelancers, and the event’s very own broadcast, Fast Train Radio, staffed by BBC trainees from the Journalism, Production and Extend schemes, kept the delegates entertained and informed throughout the day.

The masterclass finale – ‘We Love Radio’ – was presented by broadcaster Fi Glover and included a guest appearance by Zane Ibrahim, the co-founder and former MD of South African community radio station Bush Radio, who flew in especially.

Daniel Benedictus from Absolute Radio won £500 worth of training in the Skillset prize draw.

Donna Taberer, the BBC’s Head of Public Service Partnerships who led the event, said, “It was amazing to see how the training was devoured by all sections of the radio industry. The delegates were embracing the pace of change in radio and were keen to learn new skills to take full advantage of the new opportunities. Judging from the early feedback everyone got a huge amount out of the day. And throughout we kept it fun.”

Skillset’s Executive Director (Deputy CEO), Kate O’Connor, said: “We at Skillset know just how important regular, up-to-date training is to keep our industry at the cutting edge, and judging from the reception of Fast Train Radio, the industry agrees. This is a format that clearly works and we will now work with the BBC to plan further Fast Train events for freelancers in other parts of the UK.”

Radio Fast Train focused on a day of free training sessions for freelancers and independents in the radio sector. It centred on four themes: Ideas, Technology, Skills and Business. Sessions and master classes include Pitching, Co-commissioning, Developing Your Ideas, Visualising Radio, Audience and Social Media, Broadcasting with your iPhone, Event Radio, Writing for Radio, Managing the Talent, Making Money from Audio, Managing Your Business, What is Your Brand?, Negotiating, Networking and Syndication.

The event follows the Fast Train for television in May 2011 – a training and networking event hosted by the BBC Academy and sponsored by Skillset which attracted around 350 TV freelancers to taster sessions and master classes, for free. Fast Train, in May, showcased some of the biggest names in the industry including BBC Controllers, leading independents and renowned programme makers.

Make sure you see eRADIO next week for our full review of the day.