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By Andy Moorhouse, Head of Journalism
Speed and accuracy were celebrated at the NCTJ’s Shorthand Seminar in London, as the annual shorthand prize winners were named.
Jo Carter completed the fast-track course at News Associates in London, finishing in January 2009. She set a course record and has now won national acclaim by submitting a faultless transcript at 120 words per minute.
Jo, who was working for the troubled broadcaster Setanta at the time, said: “I'm delighted to have won the award. It's a real honour and I would like to thank my shorthand tutor Angela Catto, who helped me reach 100wpm in just over three months, and gave me a huge amount of support.”
She won a certificate and £250.
"I'm delighted to have won the award," said Carter, now a journalist at ESPN.
"It's a real honour and I would like to thank my shorthand tutor Angela Catto, who helped me reach 100wpm in just over three months, and gave me a huge amount of support."
During the seminar, Swindon Advertiser editor Dave King said recent technological developments had made shorthand an even more "priceless" skill.
"With the immediacy of publishing online to multiple daily deadlines, the need for a swift and accurate note has returned," he said.
"You haven't got time to rewind your tape. Editors want journalists equipped with shorthand and in an age which is as litigious as ever, it is vital I can have confidence in my staff being able to go out on assignments and to take an accurate note.
"Shorthand is an essential part of a journalist's armoury."
Marie Cartwright, chair of the NCTJ Shorthand Board and chief examiner, outlined plans to modernise and update the shorthand exam to reflect current industry practice, during the event in London.
Last year's Journalism Skills Survey highlighted the need for change, but reinforced the industry view that shorthand remains a core skill for all journalists.
Trainees at News Associates in London and Manchester receive more than 200 hours of dedicated shorthand training and are encouraged, where appropriate, to take examinations early.
With results still to be confirmed, we believe we are now the best-achieving NCTJ centre in the country in the subject.