The Nevada County Media (NCM) Vocational Training Program is a year-long program designed to prepare aspiring media professionals for careers in the digital media industry through structured, hands-on learning and real-world production experience.
Participants choose one of four specialized career pathways based on their interests and professional goals:
Filmmaking
Video Journalism
Livestream Production
Business Video Production
The program allows for multiple entry points throughout the year, creating ongoing opportunities for youth and adults to develop marketable skills. The program combines classroom instruction with practical application, ensuring participants build both technical expertise and professional workplace habits. Throughout the year, participants receive:
Weekly hands-on instructor-led training sessions and constructive critiques and portfolio reviews
One-on-one assessment & help
Individual coaching and skill assessments
Progressive assignments both in the NCM studio and in the field that build technical and creative competencies
Access to equipment and studio facilities for both on-site and approved field productions
Opportunities to collaborate on real-world media projects serving nonprofit organizations, local governments, businesses, and community initiatives
Each learning pathway follows a structured curriculum that moves participants from foundational skills to advanced production techniques while emphasizing communication, collaboration, critical thinking, project management, and client-focused production.
To successfully complete the program, participants must demonstrate competency by passing both a written knowledge assessment and a comprehensive final production project that reflects industry standards.
Graduates who successfully meet program requirements are offered a paid, part-time internship with Nevada County Media, where they can work alongside experienced media professionals on active productions. This internship provides meaningful workplace experience, strengthens professional portfolios, develops industry references, and helps participants transition into employment, freelance opportunities, higher education, or entrepreneurship within the media and communications fields.
Through this combination of structured instruction, practical experience, professional mentorship, and paid employment, the NCM Vocational Training Program creates a clear pathway from education to career while expanding access to high-quality media workforce opportunities in a rural community.
Program participants will:
Develop industry-standard technical and creative media production skills.
Build a professional portfolio demonstrating competency in their chosen pathway.
Gain experience working in collaborative production environments.
Complete a capstone project meeting professional production standards.
Receive individualized mentoring and career guidance.
Transition into a paid internship providing authentic workplace experience.
Increase readiness for employment, freelance work, post-secondary education, or entrepreneurial ventures within the media industry.
This IS NOT a free program. The program is broken down into three sessions (Jan-April), (May-June), (Sept - Dec) at a cost of $2,150 per session, which allows individuals to jump into the program at different times. Payment is required at the start of each session. Individuals must sucessfully complete three sessions, pass a written test, and submit a finished final project to qualify to be hired by Nevada County Media.
If you are interested in this program, send in the request to meet with us today! NCM will contact you for a consultation upon receipt of the request.
NCM is a not for profit 501c3, which allows outside donations to support individuals within the program. INVEST IN THE FUTURE, support a career path for an individual!
Please note that NCM still provides a nonpaid free internship program. Information can be found here
The Nevada County Media (NCM) Vocational Training Program is a year-long program designed to prepare aspiring media professionals for careers in the digital media industry through structured, hands-on learning and real-world production experience.
Participants choose one of four specialized career pathways based on their interests and professional goals:
Filmmaking
Video Journalism
Livestream Production
Business Video Production
The program allows for multiple entry points throughout the year, creating ongoing opportunities for youth and adults to develop marketable skills. The program combines classroom instruction with practical application, ensuring participants build both technical expertise and professional workplace habits. Throughout the year, participants receive:
Weekly hands-on instructor-led training sessions and constructive critiques and portfolio reviews
One-on-one assessment & help
Individual coaching and skill assessments
Progressive assignments both in the NCM studio and in the field that build technical and creative competencies
Access to equipment and studio facilities for both on-site and approved field productions
Opportunities to collaborate on real-world media projects serving nonprofit organizations, local governments, businesses, and community initiatives
Each learning pathway follows a structured curriculum that moves participants from foundational skills to advanced production techniques while emphasizing communication, collaboration, critical thinking, project management, and client-focused production.
To successfully complete the program, participants must demonstrate competency by passing both a written knowledge assessment and a comprehensive final production project that reflects industry standards.
Graduates who successfully meet program requirements are offered a paid, part-time internship with Nevada County Media, where they can work alongside experienced media professionals on active productions. This internship provides meaningful workplace experience, strengthens professional portfolios, develops industry references, and helps participants transition into employment, freelance opportunities, higher education, or entrepreneurship within the media and communications fields.
Through this combination of structured instruction, practical experience, professional mentorship, and paid employment, the NCM Vocational Training Program creates a clear pathway from education to career while expanding access to high-quality media workforce opportunities in a rural community.
Program participants will:
Develop industry-standard technical and creative media production skills.
Build a professional portfolio demonstrating competency in their chosen pathway.
Gain experience working in collaborative production environments.
Complete a capstone project meeting professional production standards.
Receive individualized mentoring and career guidance.
Transition into a paid internship providing authentic workplace experience.
Increase readiness for employment, freelance work, post-secondary education, or entrepreneurial ventures within the media industry.
This IS NOT a free program. The program is broken down into three sessions (Jan-April), (May-June), (Sept - Dec) at a cost of $2,150 per session, which allows individuals to jump into the program at different times. Payment is required at the start of each session. Individuals must sucessfully complete three sessions, pass a written test, and submit a finished final project to qualify to be hired by Nevada County Media.
If you are interested in this program, send in the request to meet with us today! NCM will contact you for a consultation upon receipt of the request.
NCM is a not for profit 501c3, which allows outside donations to support individuals within the program. INVEST IN THE FUTURE, support a career path for an individual!
Please note that NCM still provides a nonpaid free internship program. Information can be found here
