NCTJ students secure coveted positions with News International Graduate Trainee Scheme

Three former NCTJ students have secured positions with The Sun through the News International Graduate Trainee Scheme, beating off competition from hundreds of applicants.

Katy Docherty and David Woode both completed their NCTJ training on the fast-track course at Lambeth College, while Jake Ryan completed the MA in Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire.

They started their roles in August 2012 and will complete a two-year programme, finishing in August 2014.

Speaking about the experience Jake said: “I took UCLan’s NCTJ-accredited postgraduate newspaper journalism course in 2010-11 and found it gave me a great foundation in journalism. I then worked for a year at a news agency before being offered a place on The Sun’s trainee scheme.

“So far I’ve been working on sport and have already been given the chance to interview some footballing legends, as well as report from Premier League club press conferences. I’ve also had a number of pieces in the paper, including a back-page lead.”

Katy said of her role: “I’ve been on Sun Features for the last month and it’s been a really good experience. I’ve written about all sorts – from Ikea to JK Rowling. No two days are quite the same.”

And fellow Lambeth graduate David added: “I’m halfway through my placement on the sports desk and no day is the same. From following breaking sports news to writing colour features and filing match reports on Saturdays, it’s been great to put into the practice all the skills I picked up on my NCTJ course.”

During their two years on the scheme Katy, Jake and David will experience different areas of the newspaper, working on sports, features, news, politics and entertainment. When the placement is over they hope to gain full-time positions with the company.

Graham Dudman, editorial development director at News International, said: “We had huge interest in The Sun’s trainee scheme, with hundreds of applications and we’re delighted to have selected excellent candidates. I believe everyone on the scheme has a great future in journalism ahead of them.”

The News International Graduate Trainee Scheme recruits graduates each summer to work in the following areas: advertising; human resources; marketing and sales; manufacturing and operations; and technology, as well as editorial.

More information about the editorial opportunities available to future candidates can be found on the scheme’s website.

Photograph from left to right: Katy Docherty, Jake Ryan and David Woode