Students on a new journalist training company based at a daily newspaper have made headlines within four weeks of starting the first course.

Trainees on the 12-Week Diploma in Production Journalism at Brighton-based The Journalist Works have already had more than 20 news stories published in The Argus.

As well as completing work experience on the subs desk at the city paper, as part of the their training course they learn how reporters find and write their stories.

Scoops uncovered by the students have included local DJ Fatboy Slim asking for his money back when the local skate park he had made a donation to suffered from vandalism, and an interview with the parents of a woman who died after having her tonsils removed.

The independent training company is based at the offices of the The Argus, allowing students hands-on training in a working newspaper environment.

Group editor Michael Beard welcomed the trainees to the paper, and said: “There are places for them to do work experience on the subs desk here every week. They have also come up with hard-hitting news stories which we publish entirely on merit.”

The Journalist Works managing director Paula O’Shea said: “It’s a big ask as they can’t rely on press releases – just good old-fashioned news sense.”

The Diploma in Production Journalism, accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, is the first course in the country to teach both subbing and newspaper journalism skills side by side in a unique 12-week course. Paula set up the course in response to a skills shortage in the industry.