With apologies to Willie Neslon whose country classic beseeched mothers to not let their “babies grow up to be cowboys,” but instead to “make ‘em be doctors and lawyers and such.” Could the same be said of radio broadcasters?

According to Sydney Radio School founder Joel Helmes, local school leavers looking for a great career should look closely at the media.

With the roll-out and expansion of digital media and internet broadcasting platforms Mr Helmes says broadcasting and media outlets are now looking for more and more content, “And they need people to deliver that content” he says.

“When I was growing up there were only a small number of analogue TV and Radio stations but today there are dozens, and that number is growing all the time.

“That means more and more skilled people are required to make all this happen.

“Just look at internet news websites, no longer do we just read the stories we can also watch news reports, listen to interviews etc., all this content has to be produced,” says Mr Helmes.

Apart from the Sydney Radio School in Padstow, there’s AFTRS, TAFE and The Ian MacRae Radio School, just in Sydney. They all give students a solid grounding in all the basic elements of the media including script, commercial and news writing, radio presentation and general communication skills.

Mr Helmes says, “I’m pleased to say our current students are now heading off to start their careers, local high school leaver John Bacci is now undertaking a comprehensive work experience program with Sydney radio station Hope 103.2, another student Julie Clift is actually hosting a syndicated radio travel segment which is heard on more than 30 stations.

“The opportunities are immense and there’s never been a better time to get into this great industry.”