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Education & Training

Blue Lion Training Academy opens Derby media centre for marketing and AV apprenticeships

The centre will allow apprentices to learn podcasting, vlogging, video and music production, and DJ techniques. 

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Blue Lion Training Academy opens Derby media centre for marketing and AV apprenticeships
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Blue Lion Training Academy has opened a new marketing and media training centre in central Derby. 

The centre at Derwent Business Centre features a podcasting and DJ studio called ‘Vibe’, a live streaming and music production studio named ‘Caezars’, and a new classroom.

Baggy Shanker, MP for Derby South (pictured, right), formally opened the centre with Harj Dhanjal (pictured, left) and the Blue Lion Training Academy team. 

Shanker said: “I’m so impressed with this new media centre that Blue Lion Training Academy has created. These facilities are excellent. 

“The Government is committed to supporting apprenticeships as an alternative route to gaining vital skills. 

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“University isn’t the only pathway and apprenticeships offer lots of great opportunities.”

The centre will allow apprentices to learn podcasting, vlogging, video and music production, and DJ techniques. 

Harj Dhanjal, managing director of Blue Lion Training Academy, said: “We’re excited to be launching our brand-new media centre at the Derwent Business Centre. 

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“I really want to put the creativity back into employment and encourage businesses to upskill their in-house talent. 

“You might have a skilled IT Engineer who really wants to expand into recording and podcasting. With our training programme you can apply to us to do just that.”

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Dhanjal added: “So many people are starting podcasts or need professional standard recording skills or want a great audio-visual element when hosting events, this is the ideal way of allowing your own staff to be fully trained up in everything they need to deliver these contemporary requirements. 

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“At Blue Lion Training Academy, we see our job as bridging the skills gap in businesses across England and this new media centre is an important part of that process.”

Dhanjal has a background in music, having worked as a DJ in nightclubs across the Midlands and London, and was involved in the talent show Brit Asia Super Star.

Tommy Edwards runs Vibe studios for Blue Lion Training Academy and was the first to finish its Level 5 Audio Visual Technical Apprenticeship programme. 

Edwards said: “It was fun and interesting to be able to focus and specialise in this area and to see it grow into Vibe studio. 

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“Through Blue Lion Training Academy, I trained one day a week – and the rest of the time while undertaking the apprenticeship I was in regular employment.

“Going through this process has given me a much more comprehensive understanding of the technology and how to use it.”

Edwards added: “We are living in a digital, live-streaming world. This has always been something I’ve been involved in, but now I fully understand the bones of how it works. 

“There is quite a lot of technical understanding needed.

“I’ve had experience in running a creative studio – this is another level up. Podcasts are an emerging market.”

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He said: “This media centre is a creative hub. It’s a platform for new and emerging DJs and other music and recording-based creative people. 

“If you wanted to set this up by yourself at home, you would need a lot of money. 

“Here you can just come in with your idea and watch it grow.”

He added: “Doing this apprenticeship was a good opportunity for me at the right time. 

“I believed in what Harj wanted to achieve and felt I could bring something to it. 

“I don’t think employers are aware of what technical courses are out there and the opportunities that upskilling staff through apprenticeships are available.”

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