BBC Radio Sheffield Hosts Breakfast Show at UCR

Toby Foster’s Breakfast Show visited University Centre Rotherham (UCR) this morning to speak with students and staff about the benefits of studying a degree in the heart of Rotherham.

A number of students and staff from a range of subject areas were welcomed onto the show, including Media and Photography, Education, Health and Social Care, Computing, Games Design, Performance and Graphic Design.

Josh Barthrop is a Foundation Degree student in Games Design, who has progressed from a Level 3 Games Animation course based at Rotherham College, Dinnington campus.

Josh said, “I wanted to progress onto a course that would help me develop a specific skillset that would attract potential employers from indie games developers to multi-million corporations, and I feel studying here at UCR will give me that.

“We’re currently learning how to develop an idea for a game, and then building up that idea with characters and themes that match what you’re trying to achieve.

“Eventually I’d like to set up my own games design company in Rotherham, where students like me can gain valuable work experience whilst studying.”

CEO John Connolly and Director of Higher Education and Skills Jana Checkley, were also guests to speak more about the benefits of offering degree-level courses and qualifications to bridge the skills gap in the local community.

John said, “The purpose of UCR is to show the local community that you don’t need to move away, pay high tuition fees or study at a mainstream university in order to develop key skills that local employers are keenly looking for.

“UCR is a great facility for students that are looking to take their next step in education, who may not necessarily have traditional A-Levels and are looking to improve their employment opportunities.”

Jana said, “The building is about giving back to the community, offering local students the chance to study closer to home and still receive the university-level experience.

“The economy is constantly changing and our aim is to develop our courses by working alongside local employers, so our students can gain employment after study and at the same time bridge the skills gap that UK employers are consistently seeing.”

You can listen to the podcast here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06l13b7