AddThis SmartLayers

September 2012 News

Dyson at Large: Court focus at UK’s best-performing weekly

Our blogger reviews circulation-busting JP title

Guard ‘evicts’ two journalists from shopping centre

Reporters were covering store protest

Disabled sub: What the Paralympics meant to me

Journalist hits back at patronising articles

Press photographer passes air ambulance training

Course is designed for journalists

Editors hit peak with mountain fundraising target

Friends have raised thousands for cancer charity

New editor appointed to run online newspaper

Move comes after founder left for new role

Handbooks designed to help journalists tackle religion

A freelance journalist is launching a series of handbooks designed to help journalists tackle the subject of religion later this month. Jenny Taylor says the guides – Handy Books on Religion in World Affairs – aim to simplify aspects of

JP switches production jobs from Sunderland to Sheffield

Jobs at risk as series of changes continues

D-Day veteran turned weekly journalist dies aged 90

Former municipal correspondent spent 32 years with title

Advert sees Newsquest titles ditch sport from back page

Journalist raises concerns about move

Local papers celebrate Paralympic heroes

Newspaper goes for gold in recognition of swimming star

New publication to be launched on digital journalism

A new journal will be launched to examine how journalism has been affected by the digital age. Professor Bob Franklin, from Cardiff University’s Journalism School, is the founder and editor of Digital Journalism, which will be published three times a

Tribunal mulls newspaper’s bid to reveal secret papers

News editor gives evidence at hearing

Closure-threatened newspaper ‘bought by housing association’

Harry Evans old paper rescued amid fears over independence

Paralympics inspire weekly’s horse show campaign

Queen’s local newspaper presses for new competition prize

Union members question Gen Sec’s ‘golden goodbye’

Outgoing leader ‘not entitled’ to payment say activists

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.