NCTJ celebrates 60 years of quality journalism training

This year the National Council for the Training of Journalists is celebrating its 60^th anniversary of providing quality journalism training.

To mark the occasion, the charity is hosting a celebratory birthday bash at Devonshire Terrace in London, two weeks from today on 6 July. Joining the NCTJ will be figures from the regional and national media, journalism education as well as key supporters and alumni.

The NCTJ was established in 1951 with the aim of delivering the premier training scheme for journalists in the UK. The organisation is dedicated to providing a world-class education and training system that equips journalists with the skills needed in a fast-changing multimedia industry. Since it was founded the NCTJ has helped thousands of journalists enter the world of journalism through its training and support.

To coincide with the celebration, a number of the NCTJ’s alumni and supporters have offered birthday congratulations below. If you would like to add a message, please click here.

“A very happy 60th to the NCTJ! The best training ground for journalists when I was a student at Highbury and still the best training ground now. I wish the Council well for the future.”
Mark Austin, newscaster, ITV News

“My NCTJ training was excellent preparation for the fast-pace of television news broadcasting and I utilise the skills I learned every day in my work.

“I wish the NCTJ all the best in their 60^th year and hope the next generation of journalists continues to benefit from the high-quality training they offer.”
Kay Burley, Sky News presenter

“Many congratulations to the NCTJ on reaching its 60^th birthday, and many thanks for the start you gave me 30-plus years ago. The basic training in law, shorthand and reporting was first rate and I know many of today’s journalists owe the NCTJ a huge amount.”
Alastair Campbell

“Many happy returns to the finest training body in journalism. Here’s to the 60 years and beyond.”
Graham Dudman, managing editor, The Sun (NCTJ pre-entry Preston Poly 1982-3).

“Many congratulations to the NCTJ, to chief executive Joanne Butcher, her staff and helpers. Over the years the NCTJ has overcome the few sceptics to emerge into the forward-looking, visionary organisation it is today, commanding respect, and standing among the more efficient training bodies in the UK.”
Walter Greenwood, former co-editor of McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists

“I had a great time at Harlow College doing my NCTJ course. It taught me all the things you need to be a good journalist: typing, shorthand, the law, story-getting, the vital importance of facts, and an ability to drink ten pints of Grolsch without falling over. Congratulations on the 60th birthday.”
Piers Morgan

“I would like to offer my best wishes to the NCTJ on its 60^th anniversary. The NCTJ continues to provide journalists with an excellent grounding for a career in the newspaper industry.”
David Newell, director, Newspaper Society

“Happy Birthday NCTJ. In a journalism world that is changing at a sometimes bewildering pace, the NCTJ is a reassuring constant – providing the one qualification which all editors trust.”
Dominic Ponsford, editor, Press Gazette

“Congratulations to the NCTJ on reaching 60 years. The Newspaper Licensing Agency has been delighted to support the Journalism Diversity Fund for the past 5 years and we look forward to seeing what it can achieve in the years ahead.” 
David Pugh, managing director, Newspaper Licensing Agency

“Many congratulations to the NCTJ in celebrating its 60^th anniversary. It has made a superb contribution to journalism training and has demonstrated its continuing relevance in addressing the needs of the individual and the industry in today’s world.”
Jim Raeburn, director, Scottish Newspaper Society

“For more than half a century the NCTJ served newspapers and their journalists brilliantly. Over the past decade, responding to widespread recognition that journalists benefit from NCTJ approved training, it has broadened its role to set out the core requirements for anyone aiming to work across any or all platforms in the news media – in print, broadcasting and on-line – and then to identify and accredit the best training providers.”
Bob Satchwell, executive director, Society of Editors

“Huge congratulations on reaching such an impressive milestone. Keep up the good work and high standards. I remain as proud of my NCTJ qualifications now as when I received them!”
Helen Skelton, BBC Blue Peter presenter

“The NUJ is proud of its long association with the NCTJ, and looks forward to continuing and growing our work together in the future for the benefit of students entering the world of journalism. Many happy returns to the NCTJ from all of us at the NUJ!”
Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary elect, National Union of Journalists

“Congratulations to the NCTJ. You have done a great job. Have a splendid party.”
Tom Welsh, former co-editor of McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists (Proficiency Test 1956)