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'Aspire' journalist wins bursary training

Naphtalia Loderick has beaten 20 other applicants to win a bursary from Trinity Mirror to participate in the company’s prestigious four-month training programme to boost her chances of following a career in journalism.

The bursary was created two years ago to provide opportunities for ethnic minority journalists to pursue journalism careers after training with Trinity Mirror.

Naphtalia, (25), is a member of Aspire, a support network for black media professionals, which aims to connect leading black professionals and potential entrants with mainstream and independent media organisations.

During the course she will be trained in all the core skills needed to start work as a trainee reporter, such as shorthand, law, government, writing skills, interviewing and news gathering.

Exams in shorthand, law and government are taken at the end of the training and Naphtalia is also expected to complete a portfolio of work.

At the end of the course she will have three work placements each lasting a month on a weekly, regional daily and a national title within Trinity Mirror.

Naphtalia said: “I saw this as the best way to learn new journalism skills such as shorthand, refresh some old skills and make those all-important industry contacts. The Trinity Mirror bursary offers me all this and more. I aspire to be a great news reporter but in the long-term I would like to write features and head a features team. I also have aspirations to have my own newspaper column.”

Paul Jones, Trinity Mirror’s head of foundation course training, said: “Her enthusiasm and determination impressed us all. She came through from a very strong field of applicants and we look forward to working with her when the course begins at the end of this month.

“Trinity Mirror was pleased with the level of interest the bursary scheme attracted this year, the first time the company has teamed up with Aspire to promote the scheme.”

Prior to winning her place, Naphtalia did work experience on publications such as Real World magazine (a careers and lifestyle magazine for students and graduates); CosmoGIRL! magazine, and Viya, an Asian bridal magazine. She is a media studies graduate from the University of Westminster.

The Trinity Mirror bursary covers the £4,000 in course fees and provides a training allowance, which will cover the delegate’s accommodation and basic living costs. Newspapers which have offered places in the past have included The Reading Chronicle, South London Press, Birmingham Evening Mail and the Daily Mirror.