The Telegraph newspapers have decided to make use of the company’s annual training scheme to train subs rather than reporters.
The daily and Sunday newspapers have also decided to close the scheme to those without prior journalism training. The traineeship attracts nearly 1,000 applications a year competing for four places .
Telegraph managing editor Sue Ryan said: “Although nearly all of our trainees have done enormously well and most are still with us, there is no doubt that the area the industry needs to encourage more than any other is production journalism.
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“We are likely to have more subediting jobs available than in any other area, and we would like to grow our own.
“The quality of people who apply for the traineeship is outstanding and it makes sense to see whether we can use that talent for the future needs of the paper.”
During the first six months, trainees will attend the Editorial Training Centre in Hastings and then work for the Press Association at its offices in Howden, Yorkshire, and in London.
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They will also spend a period working in the regional press.
The final six months training will be spent at the Sunday and Daily Telegraphs, split between news, features, sport and city subbing desks.
From next year, those applying for the course will need to have either a journalism qualification or regional press experience. The paper says it has taken this move to reduce the number of applicants. Those who have already applied for this year’s traineeship will receive letters next week explaining the change of focus and inviting new applications.
Interviews are likely to take place in June.
Pat Pilton from the Press Association said: “There are growing opportunities for skilled production journalists across the industry, so much so that we have just embarked on our own multimedia graduate scheme.”
By Dominic Ponsford
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