The i has welcomed its first three apprentices as part of a new National Council for the Training of Journalists scheme to encourage school-leavers into the trade.
The scheme, run by the NCTJ and supported by the i and sister titles The Independent and Evening Standard, gives school leavers the chance to train as journalists while getting real newsroom experience.
For two years the trio – 18-year-old Jochan Embley, 20-year-old Mollie Goodfellow, and 21-year-old Joe Krishnan – will work for four days at the paper and spend the fifth day on an NCTJ course at Lambeth College.
Oly Duff, editor of the i, said: “We all know the difficulties people are experiencing in finding jobs after they leave school, college and uni – and the pride some of our grizzled old newsroom reptiles have shown in developing this scheme is already evident.”
The three will be joined on their course by eight other apprentices, starting work this week at Archant London, the BBC and Kent Messenger Group.
Roz McKenzie, course leader for the new programme at Lambeth College, said: “The journalism department at Lambeth College is delighted to be involved in piloting this exciting new apprenticeship scheme. We are hoping more employers will follow the lead and begin to recruit apprentices.
“Providing an alternative route into journalism should help bring media organisations closer to their readers and listeners through increased representation in the newsroom.”
Apprentices on the i scheme will be paid the London Living Wage, which is currently £8.55 an hour.
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