The full-day workshop was designed to introduce learners to an area of the Creative Industries not typically covered within the curriculum, while helping them develop practical skills, build confidence and gain insight into careers in television, digital media and content production. The opportunity was targeted at pupils who had already expressed an interest in creative and digital career pathways, supporting them to explore their aspirations through meaningful employer engagement.

Learning from Industry Professionals

The workshop was led by two BBC professionals with successful careers in television and media production. Throughout the day, pupils worked alongside industry experts, gaining insight into both the creative and technical aspects of producing digital content.

BBC L.A.B Scotland is an outreach programme that aims to develop digital media literacy and provide young people with opportunities to engage in high-quality creative projects. By bringing industry professionals directly into schools, the programme helps learners understand the range of roles available within the media sector while developing practical skills and confidence.

The session also provided a valuable opportunity for young people to hear directly from professionals about their own career journeys, giving learners a realistic and relatable insight into pathways into the creative industries.

Becoming a Production Team

The day’s activity centred around creating a short documentary exploring the topic of screen time.

Pupils began by researching the topic, discussing their own opinions and experiences, and adapting a starter script provided by BBC L.A.B to reflect their findings and viewpoints. They then worked together to rehearse, refine and prepare their content for filming.

During production, learners rotated through a range of professional media roles, including:

• Camera Operator
• Sound Technician
• Presenter
• Director
• Script Supervisor

This gave every participant the opportunity to experience different aspects of a production team and develop a greater understanding of how creative projects are brought to life.

The afternoon was dedicated to filming the documentary, allowing pupils to put their newly developed skills into practice using professional equipment and industry techniques.

Developing Skills for the Future

Beyond technical skills, the workshop helped pupils strengthen a wide range of employability skills, including communication, teamwork, creativity, planning and problem-solving.

Working under real-world conditions and time constraints encouraged learners to take ownership of their roles and responsibilities while understanding the importance of collaboration in delivering a successful project.

Pupils also learned how to review and quality-assure each other’s work, helping to create a professional and supportive working environment built on teamwork and mutual respect.

What Young People Said

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting how much they enjoyed learning directly from professionals working within the media industry.

CW said:

“I felt important being in charge of sound equipment. I learned a lot about the different jobs for people in media content.”

Tommy commented:

“It was really fun! I liked using the camera. It made me think about what else I could do.”

Eleanor added:

“I enjoyed working with people who know a lot about filming and behind the scenes jobs. They told us personal stories about their careers.”

The opportunity to hear directly from media professionals and gain hands-on experience helped many learners think more seriously about future opportunities within the sector.

Building Confidence and Raising Aspirations

Throughout the workshop, pupils were encouraged to ask questions about career pathways, job roles and working within the media industry. BBC L.A.B staff shared insights into their own experiences, helping learners understand both the opportunities and challenges associated with careers in television, broadcasting and digital media.

The experience allowed pupils to work with professional filming equipment they would not normally have access to, helping them gain confidence while developing practical skills that are directly relevant to the creative industries.

By the end of the day, learners had a greater understanding of the breadth of opportunities available within the sector and a clearer picture of how their interests and skills could translate into future careers.

A Memorable Legacy Project

As Inverkeithing High School prepares to transition to Caledonia High School, the workshop provided a unique opportunity for pupils to celebrate their achievements and create something meaningful during an important period of change.

The documentary project allowed learners to leave with a lasting memory of their school while developing skills, confidence and aspirations that will support them throughout their future education and career journeys.

Impact and Outcomes

The BBC L.A.B Workshop delivered a range of positive outcomes for participating pupils, including:

• Increased awareness of careers within the Creative Industries.
• Development of communication, teamwork and presentation skills.
• Hands-on experience using professional media equipment.
• Greater confidence in expressing ideas and opinions.
• Improved understanding of content creation and production processes.
• Meaningful employer engagement with industry professionals.
• Raised aspirations towards careers in media, broadcasting and digital content creation.

The workshop demonstrated the power of employer engagement in helping young people explore future opportunities, develop valuable employability skills and gain confidence in their abilities. Through working alongside BBC professionals, pupils were able to experience the creative industries first-hand and gain valuable insight into the exciting career possibilities available within the sector.