Government approves funding for level 6 journalist apprenticeship following NCTJ escalation

The government has confirmed a £14,000 funding band for the revised Level 6 Journalist Apprenticeship Standard, following NCTJ escalation over a delay of nearly nine months that had stalled recruitment and created uncertainty for employers and trainees. 

In a letter to the journalism trailblazer group, Nikki Christie, deputy director at Skills England, confirmed that the Secretary of State has accepted the group’s recommendation for funding band 17 (upper limit £14,000) for the standard. The decision follows sustained engagement led by the NCTJ and the trailblazer group of employers on behalf of major news media employers. 

The NCTJ publicly raised serious concerns about the delay, while maintaining regular contact with policymakers, officials and Skills England to press for resolution. Toby Granville, chair of the journalism trailblazer group, warned that the delay was “causing significant disruption across the journalism sector” and preventing employers from planning their future staffing needs, as employers were unable to recruit new level 6 apprentices while level 7 funding was due to end. 

In the approval letter, Skills England thanked the group for its “engagement and leadership”, acknowledging that its efforts are helping to improve the quality of technical education for both employers and apprentices. 

While confirmation of the funding band is a major step forward, final approval of the apprenticeship assessment plan is required before the revised level 6 standard is published. The NCTJ and the employer trailblazer group will work with Skills England to get the apprenticeship finalised and made available to employers. 

Lyn Jones, head of qualifications at the NCTJ, said: “We welcome the government’s confirmation of a £14,000 funding band for the level 6 journalist apprenticeship following nearly nine months of uncertainty.  

“This decision recognises the critical role of apprenticeships in developing the next generation of journalists and reflects the sustained engagement of employers, the trailblazer group and the NCTJ with policymakers.  

“We will continue to work with Skills England to ensure that journalism’s central role in the creative industries supports accessible, high-quality training pathways across apprenticeships, further education and higher education.”