Ofcom Baldock Radio Station

Baldock Radio Station is part of Ofcom (Office of Communications) and is responsible for the regulation of radio communications and spectrum work across the UK.

You can’t see it, hear it or touch it, but radio spectrum is central to our everyday lives; it is the essential raw material for all mobile services, radio and television broadcasting as well as wireless communications used for defence, the emergency services and transport.

The airways are monitored 24 hours a day to identify interference that might be accidental or intentional, including locating sources of long range interference world-wide.  Work includes ensuring the radio spectrum is used efficiently and that airwaves are clear so that individuals, businesses and emergency services, including air traffic control, are able to operate effectively.

Baldock Radio Station will play its part in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, licensing over 120,000 items of broadcast equipment.  Good reception and transmission is essential to the success of the Olympics.  A gold medal performance will be needed – as it is every day 24/7 at Baldock.

Jim Loughlin, UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) Technical Manager, is mentor to Ofcom apprentices studying with Bedford College. With over 30 years experience running radio communications courses at Liverpool Community College, is well placed to understand both the academic and business side of training.  He explained:

“Ofcom chose to run the apprenticeship scheme at Baldock because of our connection with Bedford College.  We work closely with the College and the combination of one day at College and four days working with our Field Force gives our apprentices unique knowledge and skills.  This year we have had more than 200 applications from around the world for 10 apprenticeships next year.  After two years the apprentices will be well qualified and experienced to work for Ofcom or the businesses we regulate.”

What were your training objectives?

To get a thorough understanding and academic appreciation of a diverse range of spectrum interference issues.

We wanted a course for our apprentices that was specifically designed to give our apprentices an HNC (Higher National Certificate) radio qualification.

We aim to get our apprentices to a level where they could join Ofcom’s Field Force after a two year apprenticeship, with qualifications and more practical experience than other applicants because they have worked in the field.

We chose Bedford College because the course met our specific requirements and they had experience of working with other similar industries such as RAF Henlow and Cranfield.

Were they achieved?

This is the first year of the Ofcom apprenticeship programme.  Bedford College have kept us fully involved in individual progress, with reports each term.  We have an excellent working relationship with staff at the College and are delighted with the progress of our apprentices.

The course has been specifically tailored to our needs to fit with our apprentices’ working commitments.  You can’t ask for more than that.

What has been the impact on staff/your performance?

We have received positive feedback about apprentices from our Field Force – all of whom have been in the industry a long time.  They have been very supportive of the apprentices who join them and who have gained invaluable experience.

The apprentices have made excellent progress – they have a great deal of energy about the job. There have been very clear and visible outcomes for the team and Ofcom as a whole.

What has been the impact on the organisation’s performance?

We were finding it difficult to attract young people who had the right qualifications and experience we needed.  The apprenticeship scheme has generated an  energy and drive that sees the apprentices as our engineers of the future.

Apprentices have come from all over the UK to Baldock, with varying experience in other areas of industry.  All have one thing in common – customer care experience – it is essential they are able to communicate well with the public.

Talking about their experiences the apprentices said:

“The training gives us a thorough grounding in electronics and radio communications to HNC level.”

“The lecturers show great knowledge and enthusiasm and have a willingness to go the extra mile.”

“You could easily learn robotically but Ofcom wants engineers who have understanding and knowledge.  Bedford College gives us good grounding.”

“We share experiences and help each other out and Field Engineers add to that.  Our work with them is invaluable, especially when working on unusual and interesting cases.”

“We will be working for two weeks at the Grand Prix.  We have to ensure that radio transmissions from the many  cameras, including driver’s eye and broadcast media, do not cause interference in such as small area.  We will be there to stop that.”

“The apprentice scheme gives us a fantastic opportunity but we could not do it without Bedford College.”