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September 2012 News

Judges announced for NCTJ excellence awards

A panel of leading national and regional journalists has been unveiled to judge this year’s Awards for Excellence organised by the National Council for the Training of Journalists. The awards, now in their fifth year, are open to students and

SoE beats news blackout on Harry deployment

Local and national press report Prince’s return to war zone

Prime Minister tours regional daily newsroom

Political editor lands exclusive post-reshuffle interview

A concert to miss?

Readers unaware that The Killers are an American rock band may have been somewhat confused by this front page juxtaposition from Tuesday’s Liverpool Echo.

Poorly tot home at last thanks to newspaper’s campaign

Readers helped transform family’s house

‘Best local reporter’ hangs up notepad after 39 years

News editor’s tribute to departing colleague

Scottish weekly launches news and sport app

A weekly paper in Scotland has launched a free mobile app for news and sport. The Helensburgh Advertiser has created the new application, which is available on iPhone, Android, Windows and some Blackberries, and is claimed to be a first for

Weekly donates part of cover price to scanner appeal

Total raised now stands at £64,000

Northcliffe restructure puts 38 jobs at risk in South East

Four senior editor positions to oversee titles

PCC boss Hunt to deliver Society of Editors Lecture

Leveson findings due out shortly before media gathering

Second Newsquest title unveils cover price rise strategy

Cost of regional daily to go up from 45p to 65p

Chapel hits out over subbing hub plans

Staff treated with lack of respect says union

Distinguished North West journalist dies aged 85

Reporter was first on scene at death of famous artist

Geere hails ‘nibtastic’ weekly

This nib from the Brentwood Gazette’s thisistotalessex.co.uk site may look like a classic end-of-silly-season story but according to editor-in-chief Alan Geere it’s already gone viral along with an accompanying tale about a scarf lost on the town’s High Street. “It’s

A bum deal: Prince Harry and a lesson in privacy

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing the industry

Journalist couple recall Olympics volunteer stints

Husband and wife helped manage media for Games

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.