News Associates graduates awarded for top results at NCTJ diploma exam awards

Two News Associates graduates proved once again that award-winning journalism training equals award-winning journalists at the 2018 NCTJ diploma exam awards.

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The NCTJ diploma exam awards are presented to trainees who receive the highest marks in each subject – with News Associates alumni across London and Manchester achieving the top grades in essential journalism and public affairs.

It is the second year in a row News Associates graduates have scored the highest results in these exams.

BBC Midlands Today presenter Nick Owen handed out the prizes at the annual NCTJ Student Council meeting, hosted by BBC Academy Birmingham on Friday, February 2.

News Associates winners Emilia Bona (essential journalism) and Louisa Chender (public affairs) received a certificate and a cheque for £250 each.

Liverpool ECHO reporter Emlia said: “My NCTJ at News Associates prepared me perfectly for the newsroom by teaching me how to respond to breaking news and produce reliable, clean copy.

“The skills I learnt on my NCTJ course have proved absolutely invaluable in my career so far and helped me to feel ready to take on whatever challenges are thrown at me on the job.

“Since leaving News Associates I’ve started working as City Centre Reporter for the Liverpool ECHO, which has been my dream job for years.

“I’m so proud to have won the Archant award for essential journalism and to be rewarded for my hard work on the course.”

Louisa, a senior reporter at Global Investor Group, said: “I was quite surprised but proud to have won this award.

“Such an achievement would not have been possible without the support and dedication of both the tutors and trainees at News Associates. Thanks #TeamNA!”

News Associates is officially the UK’s number one NCTJ journalism school – and has been for three straight years. Read more here.

News Associates managing editor James Toney said: “I’m really proud of all of the hard work our trainees put in and the fantastic results they continue to achieve.

“Huge praise must also be given to our training teams in London and Manchester who help them get there.”

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