AddThis SmartLayers

December 2023 News

Fond farewells: Remembering the journalists we lost in 2023

Our tributes to those who passed away during the past year

Pressing ahead: The titles which opened and closed in 2023

A look back at the industry’s launches and closures over the past year

Review of 2023: Digital downturn leaves jobs at mercy of tech giants

We take a look back at the last 12 months in the regional press industry

Reporter stung by bus-lane penalty reveals council’s £10m income from fines

FOI highlights the number of drivers caught out

Editor recalls emotional scenes on 10th anniversary of newspaper closure

Title that had lasted 158 years was scrapped a decade ago

NUJ highlights Reach ‘own goal’ over women’s football after Earps SPOTY win

Union claims company is scaling back coverage as part of cuts

Northern titles slam government ‘betrayal’ as HS2 savings are spent in London

Northern leg cash to be used in the south

Newspaper bids to raise £5,000 for victims of house blast

Families left devastated after explosion ripped through property

Choose your Front Page of the Year for 2023

Cast your vote in our annual poll

Australian shares ambition to be ‘face’ of Welsh weekly

Former News Corp employee takes new local press role

‘Legendary’ press photographer is killed in collision with police vehicle

Editor demands answers from local police chief after death

Regional publisher supports charity’s Christmas campaign

Readers have already donated £1,000 towards vital work

Editor of axed websites lands new role after staff team depart

New editor for city news portal

Specialist crime reporter returns to former patch for ‘dream job’

Journalist replaces ex-colleague who joined The Sun

Journalism graduate memorial fund to benefit three students

Extra awards due to “high standard of applications”

Late journalist’s book to raise money for prostate cancer charity

Farming writer died last year aged 77

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.