NCTJ and The Student View launch inclusion fellowship for aspiring journalists

Credit: courtesy of The Student View

The NCTJ has partnered up with media literacy charity The Student View (TSV) to provide free training for young, underrepresented people to break into journalism.

The New Creator Fellowship offers 30 fully funded spaces for 16 to 23-year-olds to enrol on a six-month programme, incorporating the NCTJ’s level 3 Certificate in Foundation Journalism (CFJ) qualification.

The NCTJ's most recent research into the diversity of the UK news sector revealed that 80 per cent of the UK press hold university degrees, a one-way route into journalism which is stopping the industry from being more representative.

Collaboration is key to breaking down these barriers and improving social mobility, claims the NCTJ. TSV is an ideal partner, delivering workshops and pop-up newsrooms to empower young people to spot misinformation in the news with journalistic skills. It has fostered a strong network of schools and colleges, youth groups and community organisations.

"We all need to innovate and think of new ways we can make a difference and this fellowship scheme promises to do just that," says Joanne Butcher, chief executive, NCTJ, in a press release.

The programme is backed by a board of advisors and industry partners, who will engage with the cohort throughout the course. These include Channel 4 News sports reporter Jordan Jarrett-Bryan and TalkTV presenter and producer Mosique Lavontelle.

Starting in April, successful applicants will participate in virtual and in-person workshops, as well as networking events, mentoring meetings, and sessions on pitching, finding sources and creating viral content. During the programme, participants will have the opportunity to work towards the CFJ through a blended learning approach, using the NCTJ's self-study materials combined with trainer-led workshops.

Applications for the fellowship open on 1 March and run until 15 March 2023. It is eligible to anyone aged 16 to 23 at the start of the programme (13th April 2023), based in the UK and prepared to commit to the full duration of the programme. No prior work experience in journalism or academic qualifications are required to apply.

The first round of applications will be reviewed by a panel of three people from TSV (independent of the programme), which will use a scorecard system to judge the ambition, objectives, eligibility and curiosity of the applicant.

In round two, applicants will be invited to submit a 200-word or one-minute piece on a story they are passionate about "that isn’t being told by the wider media". This will be reviewed by a panel of three consisting of representatives from the fellowship Advisory Board, a member of the programme network and a TSV team member. 

TSV executive director Bejay Mulenga told Journalism.co.uk via email that the fellowship aims to support 100 new creators by 2024. But this pilot scheme is an important first step to getting there.

"The ambition for The Student View and its multi-year fully funded programme is to build a legacy. This year our aim is to bring 30 young people from a diverse range of backgrounds into the industry to become the talent of the future.

"This year, we will help our fellows build experiences and portfolios, network, learn the fundamentals of the industry and arm them with a certification recognised by the industry to carve out their first steps in a career."

TSV is seeking additional help from organisations and individuals who can help tell young people about the programme and encourage them to apply, and build its cohort throughout the programme. If you would like to get involved, contact the team.

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