Trinity Mirror is to reopen its trainee scheme, five years after it closed it down.
As revealed in Press Gazette – Journalism Weekly today, the programme will aim to take on three trainees, who can expect to, at some point, work on one of TM’s national titles, which include the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and the People.
Initial training will involve taking up a place on Press Association’s NCTJ training course in Newcastle in September 2013.
On completion, trainees will complete placements on regional titles as well as on TM’s national print and digital operation.
Former chief executive Sly Bailey announced the scheme had been halted as part of a group-wide recruitment freeze in September 2008.
The scheme then took on two graduates a year on a salary of £18,500.
Alumni from the scheme include Guardian investigative journalist Nick Davies, former government director of communications Alastair Campbell and The Sun’s political editor Tom Newton-Dunn.
TM rejoins a number of other newspaper groups which run trainee schemes, including the Daily Mail and Telegraph Media Group, both of which send young recruits for PA training.
The news was warmly welcomed on Twitter this afternoon:
Delighted Mirror national trainees are heading back to Newcastle RT @pressgazette: Trinity Mirror' trainee scheme back ow.ly/g6oAK
— Tony Johnston (@Tonyjo7) December 14, 2012
The Trinity Mirror trainee scheme is returning in 2013. As a former TM trainee, I couldn't recommend it more highly. So apply wannabe hacks!
— Tom Latchem (@theboylatch) December 14, 2012
Hooray! After axing it Trinity Mirror is bringing back its trainee scheme, APPLY wannabe journos! viewer.zmags.com/publication/b0…
— fleetstreetfox (@fleetstreetfox) December 14, 2012
Agreed!"@theboylatch: Just fantastic news that the Trinity Mirror scheme is back! Any student wannabe journo worth their salt should apply."
— Katie Oakes (@katieoakes) December 14, 2012
@pressgazette great news!! Got me on the road to journalism
— Nev Wilson (@NevWilson) December 14, 2012
@pressgazette Worth it for the Newcastle night life alone though can't be the same without the legendary Walter Greenwood #happymemories
— Carolyn Hitt (@carolyn_hitt) December 14, 2012
Could not be more delighted that the Trinity Mirror graduate trainee scheme is back on. A brilliant, life-changing opportunity.
— Laura Armstrong (@LauraTVBiz) December 14, 2012
As someone who got into journalism through Trinity Mirror's trainee scheme I'm delighted it's coming back! Things are looking on the up here
— Suzy Talbot (@suzyt84) December 14, 2012
Hats off to Trinity Mirror for bringing back its previously excellent trainee scheme for 2013. A really positive statement
— Simon O’Neill (@SimonO19) December 14, 2012
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
