Chance to break into journalism

A UNIQUE way to break into journalism is once again up for grabs.
Jobs.Jobs.
Jobs.

This newspaper and Highbury College in Portsmouth are joining forces to help under 19s get into the industry.

The award-winning One Year Diploma in Journalism lets students train alongside reporters at our Portsmouth daily title The News while receiving top quality professional training with Ofsted-rated ‘outstanding’ Highbury College.

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The first of its kind anywhere in the country, the course is highly-focused on preparing students for employment.

Two of our current students have already found jobs with our titles in Sussex.

Lewis Mason, 18, from Southbourne, West Sussex, joined the course wanting to become a sports reporter. He has now achieved his ambition after he was given the post of trainee sports reporter.

He says: ‘The experience of being based in a newsroom and having to contribute stories for the community pages has been invaluable.

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‘By no means is the course easy, but if you want to become a journalist the One Year Diploma in Journalism is definitely worthwhile.’

James Oxenham, 19, from Horsham, West Sussex has been appointed as a trainee news reporter.

He said: ‘I joined this course with the aim of getting my qualifications to be a journalist and ended up getting my dream job working for a local newspaper in my home town.

‘This course has given me much more than university would have done as it has the advantage of work experience for a year in a newsroom where I have had stories published almost daily for the community section.’

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While colleges and newspapers have linked up successfully over the years, this is the first fully-integrated classroom in a newsroom.

This year it was named ‘best community initiative’ in the Johnston Press awards. It has also received accreditation from industry body, the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

Paul Foster, community editor at The News and programme leader of the One Year Diploma in Journalism, said: “The course gives a budding journalist the ability to get hands-on experience in the world of reporting, while also receiving top quality teaching.

“When students finish the course they will have a wealth of cuttings to take to prospective employers.”

What you need:

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Please send your CV with a covering letter saying why you are right for the course to [email protected] (closing date – June 30)

Please note candidates will be required to take and pass an NCTJ pre-entry test. The course is free for under 19s and there is a subsidy for 19-23s. Over 24s can apply for the learning loan. Costs are to be finalised.

To get on to the course you need at least 5 A-C grades at GCSE including English and ideally you should also have achieved either 2 A Levels or an equivalent Level 3 qualification such as a BTEC Diploma.

For further information please call (023) 9238 3131 or email [email protected]