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October 2008 News

Ballot over strike action at Scottish titles

Glasgow union members look to next step in savings dispute

Paper wins fight over web TV channel funding

Council to be forced to disclose cost of internet channel

Weekly's cancer appeal goes nationwide

Johnston Press papers pick up Skegness Standard’s search for bone marrow donor

Northcliffe divisions reduced from six to three

Leys steps up to become group’s deputy MD

Career break for Fowler as he exits Which?

Experienced former regional editor to “recharge batteries”

EDF Energy London and South of England Awards: What the judges said

Find out what the esteemed panel thought our the winners

All the winners' photos from the EDF Energy Awards

See all the joyful prize winners at the London and South of England Media Awards

Newcomer Nev scoops double trophy win

Surrey Mirror trainee makes a little history as Argus scoop tops prize

Johnston Press dailies dominate Yorkshire prize shortlist

Leeds sister titles have strong showing ahead of Yorkshire Press Awards

Red letter day for newspaper's three-year hospital campaign

Marathon press fundraising effort pays off with new children’s unit

Newspapers can kick-off football coverage again

Football ground ban is over between club and two dailies

Paving the way to the internet

A £300m scheme to give internet access to children from poorer families has been approved. The pilot project will be trialled in Suffolk and Oldham from February and could go UK-wide next autumn. The Government’s thinking behind the project is

The badges that makes people blue

Blue badges – those allowing disabled drivers to park on yellow lines – are being abused according to ministers. It is believed that one in every 200 of the badges is stolen – in Birmingham alone illegal parking cost the

Newsman's fond farewell after 44 years with same paper

Oxford Mail pays tribute to assistant editor who ‘cared deeply about every word’

Union chief 'bemused' by newspaper protests at BBC plans

Jeremy Dear says objections invalid as online advertising is not involved

Editorial director to leave MEN Media after 14 years

Richard Catlow being made redundant from north-west weeklies

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.