The Hampshire Chronicle has won a national accolade for its work experience programme.

The title was presented with a special judges’ trophy in the National Council for Work Experience Awards at the Royal Society for the Arts, London.

Judges praised the paper’s scheme for encouraging students trying to get into the notoriously competitive world of journalism and for the wide age range of students taken on.

Editor Alan Cleaver (left), education correspondent Lisbeth Rake and publisher Paul Kinvig

Education correspondent Lisbeth Rake, who co-ordinates the paper’s programme, said: “This is a fantastic honour.

“Everyone in the office becomes involved. Photographers, reporters and sub-editors are all prepared to offer advice.

“We put a lot of effort into the structure of our scheme to make sure students get a real insight into what it is really like to work for a newspaper.

“But it’s not one-sided: we learn so much from students and their enthusiasm and ideas are appreciated. They have often spent their gap years in fascinating places or have unusual interests which can provide rich material for articles.”

Students spend week-long placements at the paper conducting research and interviews, accompanying photographers and attending police calls, and often get a bylined article – one even made the front page.

The paper received the award after being nominated by student Claire Cummings. They are designed to recognise, encourage and reward commitment by business organisations to work experience.

Editor Alan Cleaver said: “So many students apply and we take on as many as we can but you always wish you could do more.

“It’s super that the paper’s commitment has been recognised on a national level.”

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