Welcome to the Journalism Training Centre

Your frequently asked questions

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Who are the tutors?
All our tutors are working journalists with years of experience on newspapers, magazines and broadcasting. Unlike some other training companies, our tutors have all been trained to train. This means they not only know their journalism and can put it across but they are also skilled in delivering effective feedback for the many different types of people on the course.

Do I need to know how to use a computer before coming on the course?
No...but it helps. We give full tuition in how to use the computers and their software in our training rooms. By the end of the course, we aim to have you using not just the computer but being able to produce professional page layouts using desktop publishing programs such as Quark XPress.

Are you National Training Award winners?
Yes.

What are the hours of the course?
We start at 8.45 every morning Monday to Friday. The day ends around 5.30. Sometimes it can run longer if we have a journalistic assignment to carry out. You may also have work to do in the evenings. There are also some Saturdays when we meet to deliver feedback and on one Saturday we'll produce our own Sunday newspaper! Sometimes, you may even have a weekend assignment.

Do I have to buy lots of newspapers each day?
No, we supply them along with all your stationery and any books you might need.

Will I be able to hold down some form of paid job during the course?
We don't advise it as it's a full-time course and you'll be working very hard. Of course, there's nothing to stop you selling your course work as a freelance. In fact, we encourage you to find sellable news and features. We'll even point in the right direction as to where you might have your work published. It's a working course using real news and real features.

Where are your training rooms?
Our last two courses were held in The Press Association. We choose our venues dependant on the number on the course and the facilities available. We aim to provide the best facilities we can. That means modern computers, the latest software, free and fast internet access, space to work and based in Central London. We aim to recreate a real newsroom.

Was the JTC once based in Mitcham, Surrey?
Yes - for 11 years. Now we are at the heart of London.