My second issue of AV Technology Europe is out now, with a focus on InfoComm and medical AV as well as an interview with the man behind the first BSc in AV Technology, Middlesbrough College’s Jack Laidlaw.
Jack is clearly passionate about the industry and has done more than most to raise its profile. However, he’s still very much aware that it has an image problem. Compare AV with the often oversubscribed Music Tech courses and the difference is clear to see. People understand what music tech is and know about the industry they want to work in. Despite the fact that there are much higher levels of competition for jobs in this sector, its popularity never seems to wain.
Jack’s advice to level the playing field? To promote the industry to young people at an earlier stage, foster more links between the industry and educational establishments, and emphasise the many and varied career opportunities available in this exciting and ever-changing industry.
I have to agree, this is key to the long-term strength and diversity of the industry; if people don’t know what AV is, how are we going to get them excited about the opportunities within it?
The good news is that since the course was launched in the north east, similar initiatives have cropped up in other educational establishments, and there is a growing number of programmes in the industry itself, from apprenticeships to schemes for veterans.
For the sake of the long-term health of the industry, it’s all our jobs to be cheerleaders about the great work already happening in AV and the opportunities available for new talent. Not many industries offer the variety of technologies and applications as well as the opportunity to travel the world and break boundaries in the use of tech, so let’s make sure more and more young people at least understand what AV is so they can make informed decisions about their future.
Read the full issue here.
