A new media training company is working in partnership with The Argus in Brighton to teach sub-editing and newspaper production skills.

The Journalists Works is based at The Argus's Crowhurst Road headquarters, and says it is responding to an industry shortage of skilled production journalists.

Its first 12-week Diploma In Production Journalism will begin in April, and will see students studying four days a week in a training newsroom for ten weeks before completing a two-week work placement.

The new course has been recommended for accreditation by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, and will include learning how to write news stories and features, how to cut and correct stories, page layout and headline writing as well as media law.

In addition, The Journalists Works will offer a two-week Certificate In Sub-Editing, and a number of one-day taster courses later in the year.

The managing director of The Journalist Works is Paula O'Shea, who established the Brighton Centre for Journalism at City College in Brighton where she introduced the NCTJ Newspaper Journalism course.

Also teaching on the courses are Kingston University and City University lecturer James Morrison, former Argus reporter Matthew Davis and Peter Taylor who taught law, production and sub-editing on the NCTJ Diploma in Magazines at City College Brighton and Hove.

Paula said the courses were aimed at graduates, sixth form leavers and people who wanted a change in career.

She said: "Our courses offer a way of gaining the skills that newspapers, magazines and websites really want.

"Being based at The Argus is a huge advantage for our students who will be immersed in a busy newspaper environment from day one and have plenty of opportunities for work experience throughout the course."

Michael Beard, group editor of The Argus, said: "For several years, newspapers have noticed there is a shortage of skilled sub-editors.

"That is why we are supporting The Journalist Works. It's a company of experienced journalists and trainers providing courses the industry needs."