APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING
Senior Journalist Apprenticeship: Level 7 programme
Ready to progress to the next level? Gain the skills you need to become a newsroom leader of the future.
Apprenticeships transform newsrooms and can help build healthy news organisations at all levels. The Level 7 Senior Journalist programme builds on the skills, behaviours and knowledge that journalists will have acquired through the Level 5 NCTJ Diploma in Journalism or the Level 5 Journalist apprenticeship programme. It is ideal for journalists looking to make the most of their experience and progress in the newsroom.
The apprenticeship focuses on building digital, storytelling, editing, management and leadership skills. It is particularly suitable for journalists looking to move from general reporter to specialist roles, or from reporter and writer roles into desk editor jobs. We work hand-in-hand with the news industry to deliver apprentice training that is relevant, engaging, and ensures all apprentices achieve the high standards that Press Association is known for.
What does the Senior Journalist apprenticeship involve?
The curriculum includes workshops on audience and insights, data journalism, social and verification, advanced media law, interviewing skills, podcasting and video.
The Senior Journalist apprenticeship includes the NCTJ's National Qualification in Journalism as a mandatory qualification. This involves taking a Practical Journalism Skills exam (in various specialisms), taking a Media Law and Ethics in Practice exam, and submitting a portfolio of work completed on the job. Training is weekly over a period of up to 18 months, at which point apprentices work on a substantial published piece that showcases the knowledge, skills and behaviour they've built, and helps launch the next stage of their career.
Our apprentices regularly win awards at the NCTJ Awards for Excellence and Senior Journalist apprentices are often promoted during the course of their training.
We are committed to working in partnership with employers, and work with teams of all sizes to help navigate the administrative, recruitment and onboarding elements of apprenticeships. We are happy to promote vacancies on the government's Find An Apprentice website and also to assist with checking candidates' eligibility for a levy-funded apprenticeship programme.
Press Association Academy is pleased to provide complementary training for apprentices' line managers to enhance their understanding of how apprenticeships work and they can best support their apprentices' development. We also run regular safeguarding briefings for managers.
Details about our Apprenticeship
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What apprentices learn
All L7 Senior Journalist apprentices complete the NCTJ National Qualification in Journalism Highly-practical training takes place one day a week and makes a positive impact from day one Expert journalist trainers are leading practitioners in their specialisms Leadership training focuses on people management Apprentices, line managers and tutors meet every three months to discuss progress
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Information for employers
We work with employers based throughout the UK – training can be remote We do not run regular open cohorts of L7 apprentices We require groups of 12 apprentices to run a bespoke cohort – we can facilitate collaboration between newsrooms on this We can support you through the apprentice process if you're new to it Our apprentices go on to achieve awards and promotions
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Information for apprentices
Apprenticeships are a brilliant way to take your career to the next level You need to be working in a newsroom to complete the L7 Senior Journalist apprenticeship You cannot apply for an apprenticeship with Press Association Academy directly Instead, talk to your employer and see if they might support you If you are in a content or communications role, other apprenticeships may be more appropriate
Apprenticeship FAQs
Do employers pay for training?
If your organisation pays the Apprenticeship Levy, then you do not need to contribute to training costs for your apprentices in England. If your organisation does not pay the levy, then you will need to contribute 5% of the training costs for your apprentices in England
Can I train apprentices based outside England?
Yes, we are happy to work with you on this. You will not however be able to fund them through the Apprentice Levy
How can I apply for an apprenticeship?
Press Association does recruit apprentices who work for the Press Association newsroom. You'll find any vacancies here. But the Press Association Academy is not involved in any apprentice recruitment. We are the training provider, not the employer.
Are you inspected by Ofsted?
Yes, we were last inspected in September 2023 and awarded 'Good' in all areas. You can read the report here, or search the register under our former legal name, The Press Association Ltd
What our students say
The small class sizes nurture a comfortable environment where everyone supports and learns from each other. The staff helped me hone in on my writing skills and develop the confidence to feel comfortable on camera.
Not only did I develop the necessary toolkit to become a journalist, but I also did so in an environment that fosters a real sense of community and personal career support.
Being equipped with an NCTJ Diploma does massive favours for your future, and the skills the course taught me are ones I lean on every single day. The simple fact is, I wouldn’t be where I am without that course.
The teaching I received was second to none and despite having no experience whatsoever in journalism, the tutors made sure there was a friendly environment where I felt welcome to ask any questions I needed. I was able to finish the course and go into a job working for The Sun.
The training scenarios are as real to life as you could possibly get. They took considerable time to research our current plans and issues and used these to design a series of true to life radio and TV interviews. The team is outstanding, and their expertise and knowledge has been invaluable. Book them – you’ll be glad you did.
The lifelike interview settings and tasks that PA Media Training deal in replicate perfectly the real-world feel of a tough media interview and help the delegates come out of the day feeling much more confident that they can play an active role in representing their organisation.
I learned to write concise articles and features, while developing my skills in social media, interviewing sources, and producing stories for an increasingly online audience. The course has allowed me to start a full-time journalism career.
The methods and techniques you learn (and apply) on a daily basis through teaching, coursework and eventually exams crop up again and again in both job applications and jobs themselves – the course content is directly relevant to the realities of the industry.
I really could not recommend Press Association enough to anyone who is looking to jump into the fascinating world of journalism. The course equips you with all the necessary skills you need to enter the industry and the wide range of topics covered leaves it hard for you to ever feel bored.
The team is flexible, slick, well-resourced and overall simply first class. Their expertise and knowledge have been invaluable. I was delighted with our choice, so I’d have no hesitation in recommending them
What a great session we had on Communicating with Impact. Bridgid shared practical techniques to enhance and develop our communications skills so we can present and speak publicly or to senior stakeholders with confidence and impact. I speak for my whole team in highly recommending Bridgid Nzekwu if you are after effective and fun communication training.
PA Media Training were efficient, well organised and genuinely lovely people to deal with and, importantly for us, able to provide flexibility around our needs to create the bespoke training we required. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them for further training or to recommend them to other organisations.
It’s a great place to make connections – networking with teachers, guest speakers and fellow students can be key to gaining advice or even job opportunities during and after the course.
I was able to count on excellent teachers and professionals who helped me push my limits and achieve my goals. I was impressed by the quality of the course and the motivation teachers put into it. It was a great experience and I would definitely do it again!
I made amazing friends, amazing memories and now it has led me to an amazing job which I never would have gotten without my time at Press Association.
I honestly thought that the whole day was fabulous!!! You really couldn’t have done anymore for us. The combination of practical exercises and feedback was particularly useful, it was a challenging day (in a very good way) in that we really had to think, learn and adapt quickly. I know the team are significantly better prepared for media interviews after this training.
The staff truly go above and beyond, providing detailed feedback, a wealth of knowledge and many career opportunities. I’d recommend the course to any budding journalist. You’ll have fun, too!
My time at PA Training was a whirlwind of fun and excitement. The full-time NCTJ course in London is fast-paced and hard work but perfectly sets you up for what to expect in a reporter role.
Interested in this course?
Talk to the Press Association Academy team about dates, fees and bespoke options.