Yukon College Students Hit the Airwaves with Radio Partnership

Radio broadcasting students at Yukon College are utilizing their workplace skills with their own three hour radio program in partnership with CHON FM, Yukon’s Aboriginal radio station.

Every weekday, 11 students in the Skills for Employment Radio Broadcasting Program, create and record content for their hip-hop program, The College Vibe, which airs weeknights from 9-12.

The radio partnership is part of a workplace essential skills program offered at the College, which gives students real work experience. Liz Bosely, Skills for Employment Instructor, says the students have complete creative control and treat the program as a real job. “The students are learning about technology, teamwork and effective communications,” Bosely says.

Bosely says the student’s first show was on September 21st, but she can already hear improvement. She says the students have practiced script writing skills and will soon incorporate interviewing skills into the program.

Sophie Green, CHON FM General Manager, says the program is a unique opportunity for the students and it helps CHON FM fulfill its mandate to provide training to First Nations. The students involved are representing communities in both Yukon and the Northwest Territories. The station broadcasts to Yukon, NWT and northern British Columbia.

“Radio is a fantastic vehicle to teach communication skills,” says Anne Middler, Sessional Instructor and the Vibe’s biggest fan. “The students support each other and are keen to learn about sound editing and journalism. They are learning transferable skills that will help them in the future.”
The students are currently busy developing their on-air personalities and they will soon record public service announcements to reach their target youth audience.

The program will be reviewed by the College and CHON FM in December.