A new journalism training facility housed within a BBC regional headquarters has been officially opened.

Students on Plymouth Marjon University’s journalism programmes have moved into the BBC’s Plymouth office after a new partnership was announced last year.

The facility, known as The Workshop, houses top-of-the-range technology and broadcast capabilities, which will allow students to broadcast live radio, TV and on online output, as well as providing them with a base to practise media production skills.

It was officially opened by David Fursdon, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Devon.

Marjon students at the official opening

Mark Grinnell, the editor of BBC Spotlight, told Plymouth Live: “It’s fantastic that the next generation of journalists will have this amazing resource in the city, so close to where news broadcasting in the South West first began.”

Mike Baker, programme lead for Journalism at Marjon, added: “This is such a fantastic opportunity for our students, now and in the future, to really help bridge that gap between dreaming of a career in journalism in all its forms, and actually having one.

We at Marjon have a long history of enabling students to reach their potential, regardless of their background, and a facility such as this, in Devon, will go a long way to helping them overcome the obstacles which can make the media industry seem like a distant dream.

“Our journalism programmes have long been producing accomplished, confident journalists – the unique opportunities on offer at The Workshop will give those lucky enough to come here from now on even more of an advantage for when they graduate.”