The University of Bolton and the BBC are to work together to open up pathways into employment in the media industry for students and to develop new talent within the region.

The University has signed a partnership agreement with the BBC, ahead of the Corporation’s move to Salford in 2011.

The BBC is creating a modern, multimedia broadcast and production centre in the North of England as part of moves to better reflect and represent the whole of the UK.

The new centre at MediaCityUK in Salford will be home to around 2,400 BBC staff. Five key London-based departments, including two TV channels and two radio stations, will be making their new homes in Salford: BBC Children’s (including CBBC and CBeebies); BBC Formal Learning; BBC Future Media and Technology; BBC Radio Five Live (including Five Live Sports Extra) and BBC Sport.

The partnership between The University of Bolton and the BBC will help to identify new talent, focus on learning and development, build relationships within communities and develop clear pathways into the BBC and the wider industry.

The BBC says it is particularly pleased to be working with the University of Bolton on projects which now include:

* BBC Radio Drama Media Placements for Bolton students * potential placements at the BBC Big Screen at The Triangle in the city centre * Planned writing workshops for students with BBC producers and writers who will also come to the University as guest speakers * Supporting the BBC's religion and ethics section with the University helping the BBC reach a broader cross-section of the community. p. The BBC and the University of Bolton are also working together to develop student placement opportunities within sound recording and music production.

And together the two institutions are developing an outreach programme for local colleges which aims to highlight the range of media careers to young people who do not traditionally consider the media as a profession, such as those from ethnic minority groups.

Said Dr Peter Marsh, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton: ’The University of Bolton has been working with BBC Manchester for a number of years in creating real-world work experience opportunities for our students, but this partnership signals the development and growth of that relationship.

‘We are very excited about this partnership and will be looking to further develop our links with the BBC.’

Margaret McClelland, Development Executive, BBC Project North says: “We are delighted to have signed a partnership agreement with The University of Bolton. The new centre in Salford will be a test bed for how we want the whole of the BBC to work in the 21st Century. A BBC that is not just owned by the whole of the United Kingdom but which is more open and accessible, working in partnership with local communities and educational institutions to showcase the talent and creativity of people everywhere.”

In Salford, by working with the local community and with the developers of MediaCityUK, the BBC hopes to create a new powerhouse of media production and innovation for the North of England. The BBC’s presence should act as a catalyst for change and regeneration, encourage other creative industries to develop and create new opportunities for talented individuals across the North.