YOUNG job seekers will soon be better informed about opportunities, thanks to the work of a group of student film-makers.

The crew, from Colchester Institute’s film and media course, have embarked on a series of short films which look closely at a wide range of career options.

Reg Thompson, course leader at the department, said: “The idea is to produce lots of short films, each one devoted to a particular type of job.

“Everything will eventually be covered, from part-time summer holiday jobs to professional careers, from shelf-filler at Tesco to midwifery.

“The films really fill a gap for school-leavers and recent graduates.

“Even those who know exactly what they want to do, often don’t know how to go about getting the job. Where should they go? Who should they speak to? How should they dress?

The films explain practicalities like these, and also give a taster of what the job is like. So far the team has completed films about technical work in the theatre, and the recruitment business.

It is working on a film about making kites in Brightlingsea.

“After that comes hairdressing,” said Reg. “So you can see how we are covering both huge industries like that, and niche jobs.”

The jobs films fulfil the requirement for students on the course to make a corporate film.

Reg said: “It means they learn to work to a client brief, and a time limit. Corporate films are a major source of work in the industry. There are hundreds of companies, big and small out there, making corporate productions.”

The media department has been working closely with Colchester social entrepreneur and media specialist Simon Collyer, founder and director of the Association of Pensions and Benefits Claimants.

Simon has also set up Work TV, a web-based station which looks at every aspect of the workplace.

He said: “The students’ films will eventually form a major plank of Work TV.”