The Journalism Diversity Fund has launched a new paid internship scheme to be run in conjunction with a number of regional newspapers.
The programme, which will be piloted for a year, will offer the interns a three month placement with grants to cover travel and living expenses.
The JDF was launched in 2010 to offer people from ethnically and socially diverse backgrounds to chance to train on a course with the National Council for the Training of Journalists.
The prospective interns must be a JDF bursary recipient and have achieved an NCTJ gold standard (passed all seven modules including shorthand at 100 words per minute).
The newspapers supporting the pilot scheme include the Nottingham Post, Sevenoaks Chronicle, South London Press, the Buckinghamshire Examiner and a number of Newsquest titles.
NCTJ chief executive Joanne Butcher said: “We want to give our bursary recipients the opportunity to get meaningful, hands-on experience in preparation for a career in journalism, while providing the industry with well-trained, diverse trainees who will reflect the communities which they serve.”
Last week the NCTJ announced four more recipients of the fund, bringing the total investment to £123,000 for the 2012/13 academic year.
David Pugh, managing director of the Newspaper Licensing Agency and JDF advisory board member, said: “As a sponsor of the Journalism Diversity Fund I am delighted that our annual donation is being put to such practical use.
“Despite these tough economic times, the media industry is committed to encouraging and increasing diversity in newsrooms across the UK.”
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