TAFE NSW Screen and Media alumnus and NOVA Entertainment Executive Podcast Producer Ruby Teys has credited TAFE NSW with igniting her passion for radio and propelling her podcasting career into the stratosphere.

Australia’s passion for podcasts is growing twice as fast as the rest of the globe, with a recent Deloitte study suggesting Australian revenue will grow by 62 per cent this year, to $47 million[1]. The study also suggests more than 1.6 million Australians are now downloading podcast content, an increase of 70 per cent from 2015.

Ruby got her start at TAFE NSW in 2014 and the 29-year-old, who has already cemented herself as a podcast producer extraordinaire, has also recently been announced as the new host of NOVA’s 'The Babble' podcast with Matty J. As a former student, Ruby knows the value of the hands-on training provided by TAFE NSW and credits her teachers with fueling her desire to pursue a career in radio and helping her achieve such great success.

"I studied both the Certificate IV and Diploma in Screen and Media (Radio Broadcasting) at TAFE NSW Ultimo. From the very start, I felt comfortable and was so impressed by the beautiful facilities and supportive local teachers.

“My teachers really went above and beyond to give feedback and listen to what I had made, which gave me the confidence to apply for work,” Ruby said.

“Studying with TAFE NSW equipped me with the innovation and drive to create my own content and gave me the space to experiment with different formats and styles. I also gained skills in using the tools and software to try every aspect of radio from recording, to editing and then to publishing.”

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Screen and Media, Natalie Pozdeev said the podcast scene was rapidly expanding and continued to present a new market and opportunity for employment.

“With many Australian radio stations and media companies launching their own podcast channels and Australia’s appetite for podcasts showing no signs of slowing, the demand for content and skilled podcast producers to drive them is at an all-time high,” Ms Pozdeev said.

“TAFE NSW equips  students with an advanced, cross-platform skillset to make them agile content producers who can adapt to the industry’s changing needs.”

Ruby’s deep passion for radio and podcasting allowed her to rise quickly through the ranks to become a well-respected Executive Producer with a bright future. She says the uniqueness of the medium is what continues to drive her.

“I love podcasts because of the way sound can be used to tell a story or transport you into different worlds whilst you’re on your daily commute. With audio you really have much more flexibility and range to do all different kinds of things,” Ruby said.

“It's very challenging creating original branded content that your audience will love, though when you execute it properly and bring it to life; it's very rewarding. The sense of responsibility of having such a large platform and creating something positive is also very rewarding.”

To find out more about the variety of Screen and Media courses on offer at TAFE NSW in Semester two, 2020, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or call 131 601.

Media contact: Alice Dalley, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, alice.dalley1@tafensw.edu.au, mobile 0402 528 210.