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May 2011 News

Tindle strikers to ballot for further action

Chapel claims lack of response from management since walkout

South Coast weekly gets ready for Christmas

Cash from anonymous pensioner allows paper to hit target

Reunion planned after closure of weekly paper

Journalists who worked at title invited to attend

Search for best young journalists is launched

NCTJ’s Awards for Excellence open for entries

Post leads way in South West awards shortlist

EDF Energy regional media awards contenders published here today

Footballer’s rent dispute published after court challenge

Regional daily reporter argued document in the public interest

NCTJ holds shorthand workshops to boost skills

The National Council for the Training of Journalists will run shorthand workshops to help people improve their skills ahead of taking exams. Its workshops will provide help with taking down selective notes, reporting quotes accurately and improving listening and selection

Now whose idea was that?

Editors are often accused of taking the credit for the efforts of their staff – but not Bristol Evening Post boss Mike Norton. After handing over the prize for Supplement of the Year at yesterday’s Regional Press Awards, presenter Nick

Shades of Channon as Geere scoops top prize

No question who was the happiest winner at yesterday’s Regional Press Awards ceremony in London – Essex Chronicle editor Alan Geere. In the lift beforehand, Geere was playing down his paper’s chances of success in the Weekly Newspaper of the

Publisher in U-turn over merger of two weeklies

Original titles will be back on the streets next week.

Prime Minister praises ‘vital role’ of regional press

Article written to mark Local Newspaper Week

Newspaper changes colour to mark club’s promotion

Evening News celebrates Canaries’ return to Premiership

Regional Press Awards 2011: What the judges said

The full list of judges’ citations for the award winners

Gangster interviews earn Young Journalist prize

Top newcomer accolade goes to ncjMedia man

Plans to close weekly newspaper office condemned

Union claims journalists will have to work up to 20 miles away

Weekly broadsheet switches to tabloid after 131 years

New-look title wins support from readers

Tips on choosing a journalism course

Emma Clark, former marketing and communications manager for the National Council for the Training of Journalists, offers her advice on choosing between journalism courses.
Recently I've attended numerous careers fairs around the country, meeting students of all ages keen to break into journalism - whether that be in newspapers, television, radio or magazines. And of course, all students want to know which journalism course they should go on and whether they need NCTJ qualifications.

A quick look at the trainee job ads on HTFP demonstrates the importance of gaining the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. Many adverts require candidates to have, or be awaiting results for, their NCTJ Diploma.

Trying to break into the industry without it makes a tough task almost impossible. With the rise in tuition fees, choosing the right journalism course is even more important than ever and students need to be sure they are learning the vocational skills required by employers, enabling them to hit the ground running when they enter the newsroom.

Employers know that an NCTJ-trained applicant will be able to find and construct stories, understand media law and ethics and be able to take down an accurate shorthand note when required. And contrary to popular belief it is not just the regional press looking for these skills, but nationals, online and broadcast too. Recent Sky Sports News schemes, for example, have been looking for practical skills including a minimum of 100wpm shorthand.

Student journalists can complete their NCTJ training in a number of ways - FE colleges and independent centres offer the Diploma in Journalism as fast-track and academic year courses, while universities offer it as part of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. All of these journalism courses lead to the same NCTJ qualifications and meet the same standard, allowing students to pick the one that's best for them.

It's no secret that the NCTJ has an exacting standard, and this applies not just to the qualifications but also to the course provider. All NCTJ-accredited courses have to work incredibly hard to meet the requirements in the same way that students have to work incredibly hard to achieve the gold standard. This ensures the NCTJ logo acts as a meaningful kitemark for quality journalism training.