| By Richard Parsons, Head of Training
Current and former News Associates trainees dominate the shortlist for the NCTJ Excellence in Journalism Awards.
Louise Robertson, now a weekly reporter with Trinity Mirror in London, is nominated for the news journalist award while Emily Koch, now of the Bristol Evening Post, is shortlisted in the feature writer of the year category.
In the sports journalism category, there a four News Associates trainees on the six-strong shortlist.
David Jordan, now of the Grimsby Telegraph, is joined by London trainees George Scott and Nick Hartwell and Manchester-based Tom Chick.
"No other NCTJ training provider is so well represented in these awards,” said Managing Editor James Toney.
"To have six current or former trainees shortlisted is testament to the highly-practical approach we have to journalism training.
“Success in the NCTJ Awards is a major plus on any resume and all six reporters have done tremendously well to be shortlisted in a highly-competitive event."
Winners will be announced at the Society of Editors’ conference later this year.
The shortlisting judges were: Jon Austin, Basildon Echo; Kevan Blackadder, Gloucestershire Echo; Jon Colman, The Cumberland News; Paul Durrant, Freelance Journalist; Simon Hulme, Yorkshire Post; Lee Marlow, Leicester Mercury; Murray Morse, Daily Sport; Alice Ryan, Cambridge News; Paul Sanders, The Times; and John Wilson, Johnston Press.