From Classroom to Newsroom: Ten Graduates Launch Careers Across Independent Radio

 The programme was officially launched at the WLR FM studios in Waterford.

Ten journalism graduates are beginning five-month paid placements in independent radio stations as part of the Learning Waves Journalism Graduate Programme, which has established itself as an important pathway for new talent entering the Irish radio  industry.

The Journalism Graduate Programme, jointly funded by Learning Waves, Coimisiún na Meán and Skillnet Ireland, combines hands-on newsroom experience with an intensive industry-led training and development programme.

 The programme was officially launched at the WLR FM studios in Waterford.

This year’s programme begins as one of its recent graduates,  Jamie Ryan of East Coast FM,was named winner of the prestigious Gay Byrne Award for Best Newcomer at the 2026 IMRO Radio Awards in Kilkenny on Friday night

.Jamie is one of a growing number of graduates who have progressed from the Learning Waves programme into employment in independent radio, with more than 90% of graduates over the past three years remaining in the sector.

Teresa Hanratty, Network Director of Learning Waves Skillnet, said: “The development of new talent is hugely important to the future of independent radio in Ireland. This programme gives graduates something that is very difficult to replicate in a classroom with the opportunity to work in a live newsroom, learn directly from experienced journalists and broadcasters and develop their skills by actually doing the job.

“We are particularly proud of the pathway the programme is creating into the industry. More than 90% of our graduates over the past three years have remained in radio, and to see a former graduate like Jamie Ryan receive the Gay Byrne Award for Best Newcomer demonstrates the quality of the talent coming through.

“At a time when the media landscape is changing rapidly, investing in the next generation of journalists and giving them the skills to produce accurate, trusted and engaging journalism has never been more important.”

The ten graduates taking part in this year’s programme will work alongside experienced journalists, producers and broadcasters in independent stations around the country, gaining practical experience across radio, online and mobile platforms.

Alongside their station placements, graduates will undertake a dedicated Learning Waves training programme covering the fundamentals of broadcast journalism, content creation, storytelling for radio, media literacy, broadcast law, voice training, disinformation and the role of artificial intelligence, as well as leadership skills and personal development. Each graduate will also be assigned a mentor to oversee and support their development throughout the five-month programme.The Journalism Graduate Programme participants and stations are:

 David Corish – South East Radio
 Lily Kennedy – Beat
 Lauren Scates – Mid West Radio
Owain Comerford Jones – KCLR
 Jack Massey – East Coast FM
 Millie Reid – Newstalk
Liam Timmins – Live 95FM
 Pádraig Corrigan – Northern Sound
Daniel Boyne – Midlands 103
 Dylan Hudson – Galway Bay FM

Former programme participant Lily Collins, who was named Graduate of the Year in 2026 said the programme had opened up opportunities in journalism she had not previously thought possible.

“The Learning Waves Journalism Graduate Programme opened the door to opportunities withi the radio journalism world that I didn’t think were possible. The programme offers stellar workshops with the industry’s best, all while you get hands-on work experience with your local radio station.

“From voice training and media law to interview skills, the programme provides graduates with the experience they need to confidently enter the journalism industry. The five months were invaluable in my development and ultimately led to my employment at Clare FM.”

Sinéad Crowley, Media Development Director at Coimisiún na Meán, said: "Coimisiún na Meán is delighted to be supporting the Journalism Graduate Programme again this year. Programmes such as this are a very tangible example of how training and upskilling
benefits radio and our wider media landscape. These internships provide a valuable resource for participating stations, while offering graduates the opportunity to learn from the expertise and experience of radio professionals. In turn, this supports the ongoing availability of accurate news and information and the sustainability of the media sector as a whole. I’d like to wish the participants the best of luck as
they seize the opportunity in the months ahead.”

The Journalism Graduate Programme was first piloted in 2019 with five participants and has since expanded to provide placements for ten graduates.

Since 2004, Learning Waves members, together with Skillnet Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán, have invested €5.7 million in the learning and development of people working in Ireland’s independent radio sector, while also developing programmes aimed at bringing new talent into the industry.

Learning Waves represents the training and development needs of Ireland’s 34 independent commercial radio stations, with a particular focus on supporting a vibrant, innovative and sustainable independent radio sector and protecting and developing local journalism.