A journalism trainer who has fought for regional publishers to offer better pay to trainee reporters has been honoured for his work in education.

Paul Wiltshire, who leads the NCTJ-accredited journalism course at the University of Gloucestershire, has won the chairman’s award at this year’s NCTJ Awards for Excellence.

Former Bath Chronicle news editor Paul, pictured holding his award with NCTJ chairman Kim Fletcher, has spoken out in recent years on a number of issues affecting journalism students and trainee reporters.

In 2021, he branded regional press salaries for trainees fit for the “Dark Ages” and has also raised concerns about the impact of remote working in the industry on work experience placements.

Announcing Paul as the winner, Kim said: “During almost three decades as a journalist and news editor, Paul mentored trainees and nurtured the careers of all those under his watch.

“He took on formal responsibility for training journalists in newsrooms across the South-West as regional editorial trainer for what is now Reach.

“At the University of Gloucestershire as a senior lecturer in journalism, Paul discovered his purpose in life to be a support and mentor to the next generation of journalists.”

Sophie Flowers, Paul’s colleague at the university, said: “Paul Wiltshire goes out of his way to prove that journalism is the best job in the world.

“He’s created a family environment in an educational setting, where every student feels seen and understood as an individual.

“He goes out of his way to check that they’re eating balanced meals as many times as he’ll check that they know the defences to defamation.

“Students on our course say they’re supported and listened to, and this is all down to Paul.”