News & blog

Fifty-five per cent of trainees who sat the National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ) exams in March achieved the qualification. This is the lowest pass rate since the 49 per cent pass rate in July 2013.

A newly-qualified senior reporter for the Leamington Spa Courier has won two of the four awards available for his exceptional performance in the March National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ) exams. Three of the four awards were won by City of Wolverhampton College alumni.

"Prior to beginning this course I had been very nervous about my lack of experience in journalism but was determined to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible to ensure that I was useful in the newsroom. I chose to delve into the apprenticeship route because it ensures a direct step in the door."

"I was very fortunate to secure a place as an apprentice with my hometown paper, The Comet, within days of returning to the UK in September 2015 after living abroad for some years."

Apprenticeships have been a core part of Archant’s recruitment drive since the NCTJ scheme launched in 2012. There is enormous value in leveraging the apprenticeship scheme because it opens doors to ambitious individuals looking to break into the industry while also creating huge benefits for our local newspaper titles.

Following disruption to the National Qualification in Journalism examinations on Friday, 2 March, the NCTJ is pleased to confirm a special exam sitting will take place on Friday, 23 March at centres in Glasgow and Swindon.

"I have spent the last two years as an apprentice journalist at Sky Sports News and upon completion of the course I was handed a full-time job at the company. I am now a multi-platform producer, which entails producing video and written content for digital platforms, as well as creating news bulletins for various clients around the world, including Sky News."

"I started as an editorial apprentice at the KM Group in September 2014. I went straight from sixth into the newsroom at 18 years old, where I gained experience firstly in print at my local KM paper, then online, radio and my final stint was TV."

The National Council for the Training of Journalists is investing in a major piece of research to update its independent, comprehensive and up-to-date labour market information about journalists.