Trainee multimedia journalists make radio switch in innovative scheme

The first two trainee journalists to take up our exciting, one-of-a-kind multimedia news career development opportunity have moved on to the radio phase of their training.

Amelia Averis and Lily Buckley have begun working for our Jersey radio station Channel 103 in the latest stage of the first two-year programme launched to gain experience of working across Tindle’s media businesses.

In a groundbreaking opportunity for media businesses, our companies have teamed up to create a unique Multimedia Reporter training course, which enables entrants to learn the skills needed to produce high-quality content for newspapers, podcasts, news websites and radio broadcasts.

In the third phase of their training, Amelia and Lily have moved to Jersey to get a grounding in broadcast journalism.

First week

Posting an update on LinkedIn, Amelia wrote: “What a first week in Jersey. It’s been invaluable to be in the newsroom watching the coverage of the vote of no confidence in Chief Minister Kristina Moore.

“Also, to experience the first major snowfall on the island since 2013. It has been great to learn from and be welcomed by such talented journalists during historical events. Lily and I visited the States Chambers to watch the vote.”

James Keen, Pan-island Managing Director, Tindle Radio Channel Islands, said: “We are delighted to welcome Amelia and Lily to Jersey to take up the chance to work at the British Isles’ most listened-to radio station by percentage reach.

“As a trusted radio brand with a proud heritage, we recognise the importance of developing future talent so we look forward to supporting our trainees gain a strong understanding of community broadcast journalism.”

Formal qualifications

Our innovative programme enables editorial hopefuls to develop the disciplines needed for their future careers by writing across printed publications and websites, appearing on the radio and even delivering compelling podcast series.

Alongside their hands-on experience, the trainees are also undertaking the NCTJ’s Diploma in Journalism via distance learning, and have already successfully completed their video journalism module.

As our newspapers, websites and radio stations operate at the heart of the communities they serve, our first multimedia trainees are learning about our heritage of sharing stories about the best of the people in our regions, while playing a vital role in holding authorities to account.

Amelia and Lily began working for the Mid-Devon Advertiser last August to gain three months of working within a local publishing business, at the start of training to become qualified journalists.

Course plan

They will also spend a split three-month stint with our central digital news team, working on our websites.

Following their time in Jersey they will move to Midlands 103, our radio station in Ireland, before finishing their digital stint. Afterwards they will spend 12 months specialising at one centre.

Group Editorial Director Emily Woolfe said: “We have been delighted to see the progress being made by Amelia and Lily as the first learners to take up our vocational training programme, offering them a fantastic and alternative route into 21st-century journalism.

“Their enthusiasm and passion for journalism is the perfect grounding for their future careers, and we are excited to see how the remainder of their training goes.”

Amelia and Lily were chosen following a nationwide recruitment process for multimedia candidates launched last February.