Early career journalists are being urged to apply for a mentorship scheme that aims to help them develop their professional skills.

The John Schofield Trust has opened the application period for its 2022 mentoring scheme, which is open to full-time working and apprentice journalists.

Applicants who come to the industry with less privilege and fewer connections will be prioritised by the Trust.

The scheme is described as “an exciting opportunity for young journalists to develop their professional skills” which “offers access into the industry when it can be of most help within the first five years of a news career”.

In a statement, the Trust said: “We invite all talented journalists to apply for the mentoring scheme, especially journalists from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“Those chosen by a selection panel of our trustees and advisors will be matched with an experienced journalist for the 12-month mentoring programme. We match around 55 journalists with mentors each year.

“If you are selected, you will be matched with a mentor who we think is best suited to help you achieve your career goals. You will work with them over the next 12 months and they will help you realise these goals.

“We will invite you to a briefing to kick off the year’s mentoring, as well as ongoing events and masterclasses throughout the year.

“These will give you the opportunity to widen your network and get to know new people in the business.”

Applications will close on Thursday and full details can be found here.