The journalism industry’s premier training body is seeking a new head of accreditation with the current postholder set to move into PR.
John Cary, left, is to leave the National Council for the Training of Journalists next month to become head of communications at Norfolk County Council.
Now the NCTJ is seeking an ‘editor or senior journalist’ to take on the role which involves overseeing its accreditation prociess for up to 80 journalism training courses.
The post is now being advertised here on HoldtheFrontPage and is open until 30 August.
The NCTJ accredits more than 80 journalism courses at 40 universities, colleges and independent providers.
Its head of accreditation chairs the panels who assess whether each individual journalism course reaches the organisation’s required standards.
Chief executive Joanne Butcher said: “John has done an outstanding job managing the NCTJ’s accreditation scheme for more than three years ensuring editors and senior journalists from all sectors of the media are at the heart of the decision-making process.
“The search is on for John’s successor and with radical changes being made to the Diploma in Journalism, the NCTJ is reviewing the industry’s accreditation standard and so it’s a fantastic time to be our head of accreditation.”
John’s final task will be climbing Snowdon with the NCTJ team on 10 September to raise money for the Thomas Read bursary to help students with disabilities pay for their NCTJ-accredited training.
This fund-raising challenge follows the organisation’s recent participation in the Great City of London 5k race. http://www.nctj.com/latestnews/CityofLondonRace2016.
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at
A good move for John. The whole aspect of journalism training needs reviewing. Colleges and lecturers are now feathering their own nests at the expense of students. It is wrong that there are courses for any number of students when the industry only has vacancies for a few. These students, and their parents who have helped finance them through university etc, are then shocked to learn the state of the industry. A lucky few can aspire to average earnings and an uncertain future, having accumulated debts which will be a millstone around their necks for years. The majority will have to start again with the professional journalism dream in tatters. The job has changed, quality doesn’t matter anymore, traditional journalism isn’t valued. In-house, tailored specific training to meet the requirements of employers makes more sense. No job, no training – just join the army of amateurs writing/blogging etc.
Report this comment
And so the regional press talent pool continues to empty
Report this comment
I’ve had a thought, which is in itself cause for some celebration, and it’s this: If everybody currently employed in the media is busting their sphericals to get into PR, then there won’t be anyone left in the media eventually. Then who will the PRs peddle their stuff to then, eh? Each other?
Report this comment