Training for Journalism in Belarus, the UK, the USA.
UK: THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE TRAINING OF JOURNALISTS
The NCTJ was founded in 1951, following the findings of a Royal Commission on
the Press. Its report, in 1949, said:
“The problem of recruiting the right people into journalism, whether from school or from university, and of ensuring that they achieve and maintain the necessary level of education and technical efficiency, is one of the most important facing the Press, because on the quality of the individual journalist depends not only the status of the whole profession of journalism but the possibility of bridging the gap between what Society needs from the Press and what the Press is at present giving it. The problem is the common interest and the common responsibility of proprietors, editors and other journalists...”
The NCTJ’s first training programme was a three-year one during which trainees
were advised to study English, Central and Local Government and Shorthand at colleges of further education and to follow the NCTJ’s correspondence course in Newspaper Law, which was examined in the “General Proficiency Test” taken at the end of the training period.
The NCTJ offers a full range of distance learning courses in newspaper and
magazine journalism, and sub-editing for those trainees not able to undertake full-time training at colleges, and a programme of short courses for those wishing to develop different skills or update themselves.
Since 1993 a national assessment centre for the Government’s Vocational
Qualifications programme, the NCTJ also offers the full range of journalism and press photography.
In 1993 the NCTJ became a Registered Charity, and in 1994 set up its own whollyowned trading company - NCTJ Training Ltd., through which it continues to offer both basic and short courses.
The NCTJ’s Basics of Sub-editing distance learning course was introduced in 2000.
In November 2001 the NCTJ celebrated its Golden Anniversary - 50 years of
journalism training.
The National Council for the Training of Journalists delivers the premier
journalism training scheme in the UK. It is dedicated to providing a world-class education and training system that develops current and future journalists for the demands of the 21st century.
The range of journalism training products and services includes: accredited (5) courses; qualifications and examinations; awards; careers information; distance learning; short courses and continuing professional development; information and research; publications; and events.
Each year hundreds of journalists take the National Certificate Examination, the
professional qualification for senior newspaper journalists, press photographers and photo journalists. Even more sit the preliminary qualifications in newspaper and magazine journalism, press photography and photojournalism, media law, public affairs and shorthand.
There are 38 journalism schools across the UK accredited by the NCTJ to offer
approved journalism training courses. Accredited centres are provided with a range of services including information on the latest developments in journalism training, and a range of seminars and awards.
NCTJ tapes, videos and publications, such as Essential Law for Journalists, are
highly respected in the journalism field.
The NCTJ is an independent registered charity. Proud to be an Investor in People, the company employs 11 full and part time staff and a huge number of freelance assessors, trainers and industry volunteers.
What qualifications do you need to become a journalist?
Your ultimate aim is the NCTJ’s NCE (National Certificate Examination), the
qualification is the best proof a journalist has been properly trained.
To get it, you have to:
- have the minimum academic qualifications- five GCSEs (including English) and two A levels
- pass the NCTJ preliminary examinations in journalism, law and public affairs
- pass an NCTJ shorthand examination at a speed of at least 100 words per minute
- do at least 18 months’ paid work as a trainee journalist on a newspaper
- compile an NCTJ Logbook of story cuttings during your training on a newspaper
- pass the final NCTJ’s National Certificate Examination (NCE)
The full programme normally takes about 2 years, which includes between six and nine months studying, passing exams at a university, college or by distance learning, and 18 months working on a newspaper or other periodical, or the college course first and then get a job, or find yourself a job first and do your studying while already working.