Confederation College launches new Digital Media Production program

THUNDER BAY -- Confederation College is replacing their broadcasting program just one year after putting it on hiatus due to enrollment issues.

The brand new program looks to attract students with a new look at the ever-changing industry.

This is the first of its kind throughout the 24 Ontario colleges, as other institutions offer a more broad approach to media marketing and management programs.

Although similar this program is entirely new and different than broadcasting.

Program coordinator Michele McManus said digital media is designed to better meet the needs of the ever-changing industry.

"We will make sure there’s a journalistic side to it and we understand the integrity and importance of it, but there’s so much more they can do with storytelling,” McManus said.

“They don’t have to be in front of the camera if they don’t want to be and they will take a class on it. There’s not an expectation that they will have to do a live show and be that face if they don’t want to."

As the industry changes so does enrollment.

The once popular Broadcasting Program only had six students apply for September of this year.

Films producer Kelly Saxberg explains there are a lot more opportunities and advantages when it comes to digital production.  

"The digital world means the world is so much smaller,” Saxberg said.

 “You don’t have to be in Toronto to be making any of these productions, to be a video blogger, to be doing 360 and in fact, we have many advantages with cheaper costs and accessibility.”

The program will teach students skills such as photography, videography, graphic design, and web design.

They will also be taught how to use digital media tools effectively, and how to engage users with content.

McManus is certain there will be a number of jobs for successful graduates at the end of the two-year program.

"They can absolutely go into traditional media jobs, that’s not going to change,” McManus said.

“What will be added to them are the new jobs that are coming out, the social media officers, the social media communication officers the people who are taking care of their webstations.”

Applications are now being accepted with the program welcoming its first intake of students in September of 2018.

There they will spend two years learning and developing new skills and ending it off with an internship in the industry hopefully landing themselves a job.

(TBT News)