On Tuesday 6th October Conservative MP Nick Gibb and News UK’s Guto Harri took questions from media and journalism students at Salford City College’s Pendleton Sixth Form Centre. The Q&A session was organised as part of the growing partnership between the College’s BTEC Journalism course and News Academy, an initiative of News UK that aims to invest in the future of journalism by inspiring young people to work in the industry.
The Salford City College students were invited to quiz the Minister of State for Schools and the Director of Communications of News UK, to gather an insight into the world of politics and media and how the two professions work hand-in-hand. Guto Harri began the session with a presentation on News Academy and gave the students an opportunity to submit their own stories to be published.
The students then embraced the opportunity to put their questions to both Guto and Nick. Topics covered included university tuition, academy schools, apprenticeships and mental health issues. Guto Harri expressed how it was great to see aspiring journalists going head to head with a politician, and how ‘very enthusiastic’ the students were.
During the session, Nick revealed that his passion for politics began during his time at university, but explained that there are other ways to progress; “University is not for everyone. We have already delivered over two million new apprenticeships over the last five years. Over the next five years we aim to deliver three million more.”
Catherine Davies, who teaches Journalism at Salford City College, said: “Having access to politicians and journalists as part of their course offers our students an amazing opportunity. The events that are being organised with News Academy mean that our students are gaining hands on, face-to-face time with industry professionals, an experience that just can’t be replicated in a classroom environment.
“Being able to put forward questions to MP Nick Gibb, about the issues that really matter to young people in Salford is an exciting chance for them, which will help further engage our keen students in politics and news.”
