By Sarah Lagan
Regional newspaper groups Trinity Mirror and Northcliffe are
launching a diploma training scheme for subs which aims to help fill
the gap caused by a shortage of production journalists.
The project is being run for Northcliffe by the editorial training
arm of Trinity Mirror and is based on a similar in-house training
scheme launched by Trinity three years ago.
Editorial adviser of
Northcliffe and managing director of its Gloucestershire Media
division, Colin Davison, led the project with Aberdeen Evening Express
editor Donald Martin and assistant editors from across the group.
Davison
said: “The ambitious programme directly addresses the need to attract
talented individuals who will particularly specialise in production
skills, without neglecting the need to acquire experience as reporters.”
As
part of the 18-month scheme, trainees begin their training in the
classroom before working on host newspapers as well as undertaking
distance learning assignments.
If trainees pass a series of exams and assignments they will be acknowledged as senior production journalists.
An introductory programme begins in June and the full scheme launches from September.
Tony
Johnston, head of editorial staff development at Trinity Mirror, said:
“The training programme we have established has provided a steady
stream of highly skilled sub-editors for our papers.”
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