AddThis SmartLayers

November 2008 News

Chief exec's pay cut e-mail causes anger at Newsquest

Gannett boss’ $200,000 salary drop fails to motivate the troops

Inquest opened into death of newspaper executive

Archant business director died from head trauma, NCTJ hunt accreditation chief – and more news in brief

BBC Trust defends its review of local news plans

Trust answers accusations over lack of objectivity

'Old school' reporter loses three-year cancer battle

Tributes to EDP journalist Tony Clarke who has died aged 71

Joe Calzaghe joins newspaper in fundraising fight

Boxing legend backs South Wales Argus in £1.5m children’s centre appeal

Papers "will go out of business" warns GMG chief

Provision of local news is “increasingly uneconomic” says McCall

Weekly newspaper facing closure

Three jobs could go and an office close at East Midlands title

Unidentified Headline 4

The Law Column: No quick fix in JK Rowling privacy claim

Lords refuses a petition tabled by photo agency

New projects for editor after three decades in local press

Robert Lloyd begins new chapter after leaving paper he joined as a teenager

Suspend BBC video inquiry says Newspaper Society

Legal advisors say BBC Trust is failing to meet its Charter obligations

'Intrusive' press reports after gym goer taken ill

Editor’s apology over inaccuracies, assault victim confusion clarified and more resolved cases from the PCC

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.