Grand Cayman’s first radio station is back on air after a two-year break to provide a career platform for Caymanian students.
ICCI-FM, which was started in 1973, has been relaunched as a training workshop for broadcasting students of the International College of the Cayman Islands. The non-commercial station broadcasts on 101.1 FM and showcases jazz, classical, and easy listening.
ICCI president David Marshall said the college was proud to restore an important educational program.
“This station holds significant historical value on the island, and now that it is back, we are renewing our commitment to use ICCI-FM for the benefit of our students and the wider community in Cayman,” Dr. Marshall said.
The college will partner with commercial radio stations to develop formal internship programs with the goal of helping more Caymanians become employed in radio careers, he added.
“This is a real pathway for young people to move into on-air, sales, production, and even engineering careers right here on island. It is awesome to help create employment pathways in radio for our very talented youth,” he said.
Students Priscilla Eden, Clement Patterson and Gelyssa Rankin provided the station with its first original content after they completed an 11-week radio production course.
The students produced their own radio shows, which began airing on Monday. Shows will air three times daily, Monday through Friday.
Each student was responsible for interviewing an MLA, an on-island radio personality, and other ICCI students about the importance of education to young people in Cayman.
Education Minister Tara Rivers, MLA Bernie Bush, and MLA Alva Suckoo were interviewed by the students.
Ms. Eden said it had been a pleasure to be a part of the revamping of ICCI-FM.
“I enjoyed being a journalist and meeting one-on-one with people to get interviews for my show,” she said.
Mr. Patterson said he had enjoyed the exposure gained through the radio course.
“It has left a remarkable impression on me,” he said. “I had hands-on experience in conducting an interview with a radio host and an MLA, which is something that doesn’t occur too often for a young person.”
“As a young Caymanian, this makes me very proud that my work will be heard all over the island and around the world on the Internet,” Ms. Rankin said. “This really makes me feel that I can do anything and go on to a great career and make my country proud of my success.”
Dr. Marshall said the college would work with primary and secondary schools to provide opportunities for students to boost their communication skills and confidence by writing and voicing essays which ICCI-FM would air as part of its programming. In August 2012, a lightning strike damaged the ICCI-FM radio tower and equipment. The college is fundraising currently to purchase more instructional equipment and to provide scholarships for students interested in studying broadcasting.