Journalism Diversity Fund alumni celebrate NQJ results

Two former Journalism Diversity Fund recipients have achieved senior reporter status after passing the National Qualification for Journalists (NQJ).
Katie Anderson and Alexandra Rucki both successfully completed the industry’s professional qualification for trainee journalists.

Katie completed the NCTJ-accredited fast-track course at Press Association, Newcastle, in 2010. She now works as a reporter for the Bognor Regis Observer. Katie, who received her results on her 25^th birthday, said: “It feels great to have passed my NQJ exams and it was definitely an extra special birthday present. I had a lot of help and support from everyone in the newsroom in the lead up to my exams which definitely helped.”

She added: “Without the funding from the Journalism Diversity Fund I would not have even been able to start my journalism training. It gave me what I needed to be able to progress with the career I had always wanted to.”

Alexandra, who won a bursary in 2010 to study an MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield, is currently working as a reporter for the Wandsworth Guardian. She said: “I’m delighted to have passed my NQJ and become a senior reporter. I’m really grateful to the Journalism Diversity Fund for funding my journalism postgraduate course and making this possible.

“Looking back a few years ago, I would never have thought this could have been possible.”

David Pugh, managing director of NLA Media Access, a major donor to the diversity fund, said: “It is wonderful to hear Katie and Alexandra have qualified as senior journalists. Their achievements required dedication, talent and a great deal of hard work, as well as financial support and quality training, and this is why the NLA has continued to support the diversity fund since its creation.”

The NQJ for reporters is divided into four sections: an e-logbook; a news interview; a news report paper; and a media law and practice paper.

Trainees must complete at least 18 months employment before they are eligible to sit the exam.

Employers who support the programme register trainees with the NCTJ and an e-logbook, providing evidence of training and experience, is completed before taking the exams.