RICHMOND, Ind. – Whitewater Community Television and Richmond Community Schools are forming a two-year partnership to bring more broadcasting opportunities to the community.
WCTV is relocating its offices to the Richmond High School Career Center. Discussions about the collaboration began last summer.
“We began discussion about helping during time of uncertainty back in the summer. Right away, we knew that a strong partnership at the very least was going to happen,” said Josh Amyx, director of the Richmond Area Career Center.
Discussions quickly evolved into a plan that brings WCTV back to where it was established.
“In working through logistics, it just made sense for them to move to their original home!” Amyx said.
Students in Richmond’s Radio/TV program are moving directly across the hallway from WCTV’s space. The move gives students hands-on experience in real-world media operations.
“They will see what day-to-day operations are like with community members and also be participating in Work-Based Learning opportunities with WCTV as part of our Capstone experience,” he said.
The collaboration also supports Indiana’s new diploma seal requirements, which emphasize work-based learning. “For the new Indiana diploma seals, students must participate in different levels of WBL. Each unique experience that is over 25 hours will count toward their WBL requirements for the different diploma seals. This number ranges from 75 total hours to 650 total hours.”
Beyond meeting state requirements, the partnership is designed to help students develop key skills in media production. “Skills and Competencies are going to be a major part of this partnership. We hope students will gain the skills necessary to work in, promote, and maybe even run a studio someday. Students in the Radio/TV program will have an amazing opportunity to grow and showcase their skills working both in front of and behind the camera as we move forward with the partnership,” Amyx added.
The Richmond Area Career Center hopes to maintain and expand the partnership for years to come. “So far, WCTV and RCS has been on the same page, communicating, dreaming, and working together to make this a reality,” Amyx said.
The program is a model of how schools, businesses, and the community can work together to prepare students for the workforce.
“When schools, businesses, and the community work together for students, amazing things are bound to happen for all parties involved. By growing our own workforce from within, we fill gaps in the economic development of Richmond and Wayne County. Everybody wins with this partnership!”
