Five apprentice journalism jobs for school leavers have been created in a regional publisher’s bid to improve social mobility in its newsrooms.

Reach plc has announced the launch of a new scheme to recruit five apprentice reporters in newsrooms across the company’s local ‘Live’ network of news websites.

One of the reporters will be based in Liverpool, while the others will work at as-yet-undisclosed newsrooms across the country.

The Reach Boost scheme will be supported by social enterprise Mission Beyond, which aims to connect young people from underrepresented groups with employers.

David Bartlett, pictured, Reach’s audience and content director for London and the South-East, said: “We are really pleased to be launching this project to start to further address the lack of diversity in the media.

“We know we have a lot of work to do to achieve better representation in our newsrooms, and we expect this project with Mission Beyond to be a really positive step.

“Journalism is vital to our society, but it has to represent all sections of society to remain relevant and have a sustainable long-term future.”

A previous version of Reach Boost in 2021 successfully recruited three trainees with no formal journalism training into newsrooms in Kent, Essex, and London.

Mission Beyond chief executive Charlotte Hillenbrand said: “We believe everyone has potential but not everyone has opportunity, and we want to change that.

“Many young people from disadvantaged or poorer backgrounds face barriers to finding — and thriving in — paid work within the media.

“We are very pleased to partner with Reach who is committed to inclusion and making a difference.

“With our digital platform Open Doors, we will make access to opportunities easier, enabling young people to realise their potential inside future-facing organisations that are working hard to improve inclusion and social mobility.”