Telegraph agrees training with NUJ

The NUJ has struck a deal with Telegraph Publishing which could lead to new training opportunities for hundreds of journalists, it claims.

The union now proposes to approach other companies to get them to sign similar agreements.

The agreement, the first of its kind since new laws came into force giving unions greater rights to consultation on training, recognises the “importance of properly trained editorial staff” and commits the Telegraph Group and the NUJ to work together “in a positive mannerâ€¦to promote and support life-long learning and ensure equal access to learning opportunities”.

NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear described the deal as “hugely significant”.

He said: “For many years, too many companies have neglected the training needs of their staff. Telegraph Publishing has recognised the importance both of training and of involving staff in discussions over their training needs. We welcome the constructive approach the Telegraph Group has taken and the commitment demonstrated to ensuring all staff and freelances have access to high-quality training. We hope other companies will follow suit.”

The Telegraph’s Professional Training for Journalists agreement provides for company consultation with the NUJ over any editorial training programme, a commitment to making available sufficient training for all editorial staff – including part-time staff, casuals and freelances – and opens the door to the possibility that the NUJ’s training department will help deliver training for Telegraph journalists.