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December 2008 News

Newspaper publisher launches new weekly title

North-West media group bucks doom and gloom climate

Entries open for 152nd international photography prize

Pictures could feature in touring exhibition, charity match to honour budding young journalist – and more news in brief

Press petition to save A&E heads for Downing Street

Editor ‘stunned’ after 15,000 back Mercury campaign

New Year Honour for news agency chief

PA executive chairman rewarded for services to journalism

Former editor launches news website for old patch

Essex editor keeps hand in with grassroots news site

Editor's 'grief and separation' after redundancy

Former weekly news chief looks to the future

Echo investigation exposes sofa-selling conman

Undercover reporters video sale of dangerous couches

Strike action planned at Newsquest North East

NUJ chapel to hold mandatory meetings over job cuts

Newspaper's court report wins backing of top judge

Ruling gives Worcester News confident ‘thumbs up’

Single MD for sister Northcliffe centres

Joanne Glynn to head up Derby and Nottingham as part of reshuffle

Journalists ballot for industrial action over cuts

NUJ members angry over possible loss of four editorial posts

Eight jobs under threat at Johnston Press titles

South Division shake-up after review of working practices

Friday Funnies: A paw headline for a barking mad vet

What not to eat for hounds, a witty cartoonist and more press funnies

More jobs cuts on the way at Iliffe weeklies

Plans to reduce headcount following company restructure

Journalist who 'mentored' Prime Minister has died

Tom Donald was staunch Labour Party Member and friend to Gordon Brown

Observer campaign brings Christmas cheer for kids

Hundreds of presents flood in after paper’s appeal

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.