Daily Mail offering two disadvantaged young people route into journalism via Stephen Lawrence trainee scheme

The Daily Mail has launched a new trainee scheme aimed at bringing two aspiring journalists from disadvantaged backgrounds into the media.

The scholarships, sponsored by the Daily Mail, are part of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust's initiative to help disadvantaged students into professional careers.

The scheme will be similar to the current graduate scheme, but will include more basic training at the start. It will be a longer programme, at 14-month, and will put the trainees through the Press Association's NCTJ course.

It will also include work experence at the South London Press and East London Advertiser.

The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust was founded by Baroness Lawrence, Stephen's mother, in 1998. She said the trust's aims are "watering the seeds of ambition".

It has already awarded over 100 architechture bursaries – helping disadvantaged students into the profession that murdered Stephen Lawrence dreamed of entering.

The scheme is encouraging applicants from those from lower income households, non-fee paying schools or are the are the first generation of their family to attend university. Details of the scholarships are being sent to inner city schools, academies and universities.

The Mail is seeking to recruit disadvantaged youngsters. Here's how to apply https://t.co/5EE0mHfAan

— Tony Gallagher (@gallaghereditor) January 12, 2015

Paul Dacre, Editor of the Daily Mail, said: "We share with Stephen’s family the wish that more hardworking students from disadvantaged backgrounds should also look to journalism as a career – just as Stephen aspired to become an architect before his life was so viciously cut short.

"We are delighted that we have been able to provide a substantial investment for these bursaries and bring them into our training scheme."

Baroness Lawrence said: "I am delighted to announce the Stephen Lawrence trainee reporter scholarship in partnership with the Daily Mail.

"The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust’s mission is to transform the career opportunities of aspiring, talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"This rare opportunity to train in journalism via the highly sought-after 'best course in the business' – on the Daily Mail – is an excellent example of how we demonstrate Stephen’s legacy."