Swansea University boosts employability with a helping hand from former Ospreys rugby coach

Swansea University is enhancing student employability and boosting career prospects with a helping hand from former Wales and Ospreys rugby coach Sean Holley.

The University recently teamed up with local award-winning education technology experts Aspire2Be to give students the opportunity to gain valuable experience from experts in the field of media.

And Holley – who coached the Ospreys for nine years between 2003 and 2012 - played a key role with the collaboration as the broadcaster’s ‘iBroadcast’ programme was piloted for the first time in higher education.

The iBroadcast syllabus was originally suited for schools, but Swansea University staff worked alongside their counterparts at Aspire2Be to adapt the methodology for University level.

600 x 387A number of Swansea University students were handed a media masterclass, as well as being awarded the opportunity to cover this year’s Welsh Varsity like never before.

The team went on to produce a documentary-style promotional video for Varsity, assuming a number of different roles including presenting, interviewing, filming, script writing, producing and research.

The partnership also gave students the chance to meet BBC Wales Scrum V Producer Craig Withacombe and gain expert tuition from Sean on broadcasting, the technical support from Aspire2Be, as well as spending a day at Nation Radio for the recording of the Sony Award-winning Rugby Nation show.

Aspire2Be’s innovative iBroadcast project is designed to enhance self-confidence and develop communication and digital competency, as well as oratory and leadership skills.

All the students involved have since been awarded work placements with Sean Holley Sport & Media, as well as the opportunity to tutor on more up and coming iBroadcast projects in the near future.

Left to right: Nick Evans (Aspire2Be), Sean Holley, students Stavros Aspostolopoulos, Jonathan Court, Beth Milton, Victor Brachie, Daniel Calderon-Rincon, Robert Yarr, and Swansea University's Dr Jon Howden-Evans.

Hilary Lappin-Scott OBE, Swansea University’s Senior Pro-Vice Chancellor said:

“Swansea University Employability Academy is delighted to be partnering with Aspire2Be and Sean Holley to offer work placements via iBroadcast.

“The pilot, which focussed on developing key technical and employability skills within Media and Sport Media placements, was outstanding.

“Not only did the students have opportunities such as broadcasting on Nation Radio but they all secured further media placements as a result. I look forward to seeing what this exciting partnership delivers next.”

Jon Howden-Evans, Head of Swansea Employability Academy (SEA), said:

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able, as a result of great team work, to develop funded placements in a career path that isn’t always easy for all students to access.

“The outcomes are much bigger than we expected – and continue to open doors for our placement students. The enthusiasm of the team behind this pilot is contagious and we are looking forward to developing more opportunities.”

Sean Holley added:

“The recent iBroadcast, which saw the making of a short documentary around all things Varsity was an overwhelming success. This particular collaboration between Aspire2Be and myself is designed to not only develop broadcasting skills but to also enhance self-confidence, efficiency and future prospects.

“The Swansea University students that took part, thanks to the Employability Zone, showed an amazing amount of development in the time they spent undertaking this project. The calibre of individual has led me to involve them in my Rugby Nation radio show and BBC Wales’ Scrum V. Together with Aspire2Be, we look forward to some of them assisting us on further iBroadcast programme in the surrounding schools - the project was a delight to be part of.”

If you are looking for someone to fill a work placement, part-time role or graduate recruitment opportunity we can help you find the perfect match from our talent bank of over 20,000 students. Call us on 01792 606060 or email to find out how we can help your organisation.