AddThis SmartLayers

July 2009 News

Press duo begin and end their careers together

‘Heroes’ bow out after 44 years with same paper

Reporter spends week with Fusiliers in Helmand

Archant journalist joins MP on Afghan trip

Trinity Mirror revenues drop 28.2pc

But company positioned for ‘post recession growth’

Reporters' jobs saved at Midlands newspapers

More strike action cancelled at Midlands Newspapers

Theatre auction at Meet the Media event

Drama group to benefit from Birmingham Press Club event

Microsoft seeks deal over local press content

Corporate giant says it ‘might’ pay newspapers

Public sector bodies plan combined newspaper

But elsewhere five council papers become one

One-paper photographer retires after 46 years

‘Phenomenal’ Hull snapper takes well-earned retirement

Strike action at Midlands newspapers called off

Union chapel cancels one-day industrial action plan

Journalists' renewed appeal for ex-Yorkshire staffers

Plea for help in documenting 131-year-old newspaper

Tube sex pest named after paper overturns ban

Guardian wins right to identify groper

Would Franzen have done better?

Former That’s Life presenter Esther Rantzen today struck a blow for the journalistic profession by announcing she will stand for Parliament at the next election in the Luton seat being vacated by expenses row Labour MP Margaret Moran. But if

Express & Star group gets ‘fantastic manager’

When former North-East and Midlands MD Steve Brown left Trinity Mirror in a company restructure earlier this year, the response from his former employees in Newcastle and Birmingham was startling. The NUJ chapel in Newcastle passed a vote of no

Reporter follows Joanna Lumley to Nepal

Once-in-a-lifetime trip tempts journo to Asia

New free paper to launch in Cardiff

Echo Extra designed to complement daily title

Newspaper campaign forces council art sell-off

Art lovers send hate mail to ‘Philistine’ editor

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.