Regional publishing groups are teaming up to take part in a new government scheme to help non-graduates get into journalism.

Archant, Johnston Press, the KM Group and Newsquest are among publishers joining the ‘trailblazer’ scheme, which will seek to create new national apprenticeship standards for journalism trainees.

The journalism employers will work with the National Council for the Training of Journalists to develop a higher level standard and assessment, which will enable journalism apprentices to progress to senior status.

Other media organisations taking part include the BBC, BSkyB, The Independent, ITN and the London Evening Standard.

The scheme is already running in other industries and is being rolled out to journalism as part of ‘phase two’ of the initiative.

KM Group human resources and learning director Amanda Watts and editorial apprentice Dan Wright, editorial apprentice will be representing journalism employers and apprentices at a Downing Street reception to mark the start of the new phase tomorrow.

Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock said: “We want to see apprenticeships become the new norm for all ambitious young people, and employers who are dedicated to growing their own talent and increasing the skills base of the nation.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved as trailblazers for their commitment to apprenticeships and traineeships.”

NCTJ chief executive Joanne Butcher added: “Through their recent work on the entry level apprenticeship, newspaper and broadcast employers are already in the driving seat of journalism apprenticeships, and are therefore the natural choice as trailblazers.

“We are pleased the government is determined to tackle the shortcomings of the current system. We needed an interpreter to help us understand the complexities and find a way through the bureaucracy. Hopefully these reforms will simplify the systems, cut through the red tape and give real purchasing power to employers.”