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April 2011 News

Boost for weekly after council newspaper axed

Title previously campaigned against authority publication

NCTJ launches search for journalists of future

More regional papers urged to sign up to contest

Senior executives depart in company shake-up

Newspaper publisher to streamline divisional structure

Stanistreet becomes first woman leader of NUJ

New general secretary of journalists’ union is elected unopposed

Work-to-rule to begin at Newsquest titles

Journalists in dispute over redundancies, pay and quality

Top-selling regional daily launches paywall

New package aims to add value and boost circulation

Weekly in £1m fundraising appeal for hospice

Title backs campaign to build extension

Journalists vote to continue work-to-rule

Industrial action ballot held at titles after redundancies

Second journalism student runs for election

Budding reporter hopes for success with Labour Party

Journalists urged to nominate peers for award

Regional media ceremony will recognise respected colleagues

Daily journalist bows out after 42 years

Photographer turned website editor was one-paper man

Deadline looms for South West Media Awards

Five days to get your entries in for EDF Energy contest

Weekly’s scooter appeal helps local music legend

Former rock ‘n’ roll frontman benefits from scheme

Relaunched Sunday title adds sports pull-out

Move comes in response to reader feedback

Newspaper’s job creation bid smashes target

Apprenticeship milestone reached with five weeks to go

Did weekly’s ‘Beckham to Palace’ tale fool readers?

Our round-up of the day’s best April 1 spoofs

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.