NCTJ escalates concerns over government delay in level 6 apprenticeship funding decision
The NCTJ has escalated serious concerns about the six-month delay in approving funding for the revised Level 6 Journalist Apprenticeship Standard, which is preventing employers from recruiting apprentices and blocking a vital pathway into journalism.
Toby Granville, chair of the Journalism Trailblazer Group, has written to Skills England and the Minister for Skills, Jacqui Smith, on behalf of the group. The trailblazer represents major employers including Bauer Media, BBC, Iconic Media, Iliffe, Newsquest, News UK, Reach plc, Sky Sports News, The Telegraph and Tindle News. The group are pressing for an urgent decision on the delayed level 6 apprenticeship funding.
The revised standard was submitted in April 2025 and approved by Skills England in May 2025, yet it remains pending and cannot be delivered until the proposed £14,000 funding band receives confirmation and updated end-point assessment guidance is published.
Employers have been unable to recruit new apprentices at level 6 and funding for the current level 7 apprenticeship ceases at the end of this year.
Toby Granville, chair of the Journalism Trailblazer Group and editorial development director at Newsquest, said: “The ongoing delay in approving and publishing the revised Level 6 Journalist Apprenticeship Standard is causing significant disruption across the journalism sector. Employers are unable to recruit level 6 apprentices, which hinders workforce development and limits progression opportunities.
“This delay is especially concerning given the effectiveness of these programmes in attracting individuals from diverse and lower socio-economic backgrounds who might not otherwise have access to journalism careers.”
The delay comes amid broader disruption to journalism education pathways that do not reflect the government’s stated support for the sector. Journalism has been removed from Strategic Priorities Grant funding in higher education despite government identifying creative industries as central to its industrial strategy and growth plan. Their own Assessment of Priority Skills to 2030 also identifies journalism as a priority occupation facing skills shortages.
Lyn Jones, head of qualifications at the NCTJ, said: “The six-month delay in approving the level 6 funding band is preventing employers from investing in the next generation of journalists. Journalism apprenticeships break down barriers and ensure newsrooms better reflect the communities they serve.”
The NCTJ is calling for the immediate approval of the £14,000 funding band and continues to seek a meeting with the Minister for Skills to discuss measures to safeguard access to quality journalism training.
