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September 2008 News

Work-to-rule action at Glasgow papers

NUJ votes for industrial action over ‘health and safety’ risk

From surgery to scissors

An NHS anaesthetist with 30 years experience has given up the hospital for the hair salon. Dr Roger Tackley, 56, now owns a salon in Devon specialising in futuristic hair styles. He was so fed up with NHS red tape

The cycle of offending

The number of juvenile criminals reoffending has fallen by 2.3pc between 2000 and 2006, missing the Government’s 5pc target – according to new figures. However, the number of offences committed per 100 young people has come down by 19pc while

Tributes paid to Midlands news stalwart

Reporter Joan was late entrant to profession

Further redundancies on cards at Anglia papers

Four more jobs in doubt at weeklies after Echo editor move

Straw backs publication of court lists online

Justice ministry confirms website plan

Weeklies hit out at "health and safety madness"

Local papers give council the boot

Drivers urged to dump cars in newspaper campaign

Chronicle hopes to boost public transport users as part of Go Green initiative

Local press stays ahead of Olympic game

Beijing success sees surge in web hits

Bleak future for regional dailies says pundit

Greenslade predicts “imminent demise” of morning and evening titles

Readers pledge £17,000 for brain-damaged youngster

Messenger appeal set to hit target

Newsman's lucky escape in Afghanistan

Dramatic fortnight spent with soldiers in Helmand Province

Trinity and Northcliffe in line for top digital awards

Association of Online Publishers shortlist revealed

Echo editor's future looks uncertain

Suffolk weekly could exist without editor as management consult over role

Summer heralds record sales boost for weekly

Devon paper hails “good old-fashioned journalism,” Ayr editor moves on, and other news in brief.

Cameron to address Newspaper Conference lunch

Tory leader to meet regional lobby hacks, Newsquest titles join photographic forces, and other news in brief.

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.