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November 2011 News

Journalist couple expand hyperlocal news business

News will serve rural communities

The Neil Fowler lecture: Time to return the regional press to local ownership

Former newspaper boss unveils survival plan for industry

Knockout blow for Hong Kong daily

Most of the newspaper obituaries of boxer Joe Frazier following his death from liver cancer this week agreed that he spent his life in Mohammed Ali’s shadow. Now the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong’s largest English-speaking daily, has

Regional daily scoops nats on ‘I’m a Celebrity’ line-up

Only way is Cleethorpes for TOWIE star Mark

Regional revenues fall as Trinity Mirror nationals surge

Rate of ad revenue decline slows says group

Top-selling Scottish weekly goes tabloid after 166 years

One of the biggest-selling weekly newspapers in Scotland has switched to tabloid format this week after 166 years as a broadsheet. The Johnston-Press owned Falkirk Herald is sporting its new look from today. The newspaper was first printed alongside the

‘Gateway to Wales’ gets new paid-for weekly

Border town the venue for latest Tindle launch

Daily photographers in hairy charity challenge

A group of photographers at a daily newspaper will join thousands of other men this month to take part in Movember. The five Leicester Mercury photographers will each grow a moustache to help raise funds for men’s cancer charities. Taking

Newspaper in spat with dog lovers over campaign

Title called for Staffys to be muzzled

Asbo brothers named after reporter’s challenge

Magistrates reject call for section 39 order

Sports journalist bows out after 46 years on newspaper

Rugby reporter covered 300 internationals and three World Cups

Former football journalist tells physio’s tale

Football writer has penned second book

Editor’s campaign gets councillors on side

Authority has listened to concerns over parking

‘Don’t jump in river’ newspaper urges readers

Readers told to ‘Think, Don’t Swim’

Editor chalks up quarter century in charge of weekly

An intriguing billboard led to career choice

Hunt is on to find future political journalists

Winners will be treated to Parliament trip

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.