Skills training sessions

Continue your professional development with the Journalism Skills Academy. 

We deliver live skills training sessions (masterclasses, lunch and learns) across a range of topics, available to all. Our course schedule shows upcoming sessions up to 3-4 months in advance, and you can learn more about any of our sessions, and book your place, via the CPD area of the NCTJ website. You will then be enrolled onto the session (course) via your Journalism Skills Academy dashboard, where you will be able to find any pre-session information and access your session link. They are held online via Zoom.

For those studying the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, we also offer online exam refreshers.

Available courses

Leadership: Understanding imposter syndrome

LUNCH AND LEARN 08.12.2023. Imposter syndrome is a term that describes self-doubt which, at times, can be crippling and can have a negative impact on many people’s lives. In a work environment, it affects confidence and self-belief which can negatively impact on an individual’s career …

Introduction to podcasting

LUNCH AND LEARN 07.12.2023. This short course will give learners an overview of the key things to know when creating a podcast and will inspire you to go away and put your own exciting concept in action.

Editing skills

LUNCH AND LEARNS 04.12.2023 to 08.12.2023. A flexible 5-day course where you can book individual or all sessions. Editing skills are essential and invaluable for journalists throughout their careers and are the core skills needed to succeed in most roles in the industry as well as other sectors…

Women in leadership: Leading with confidence

LUNCH AND LEARN 01.12.2023. This course seeks to support and empower women to thrive in leadership roles in a publishing environment. The course is aimed at early-career leaders or those who aspire to be a leader in the future.

Leadership: Creating a diverse and inclusive team

MASTERCLASS 30.11.2023. This interactive session will open the discussion on diversity and inclusion; and will offer practical guidance to managers to develop their inclusion skills.

Media law

MASTERCLASS 28.11.2023. From good editorial practice and public interest, to defamation and data protection, this masterclass is ideal for anyone looking to brush up on their media law knowledge.

Leadership: Motivating and engaging the team

MASTERCLASS 23.11.2023. A motivated and engaged team is linked to business success so investing time in this is hugely rewarding. This course will put the spotlight on employee engagement, showing its importance and the impact that it has on an organisation.

Data journalism

MASTERCLASS 13.11.2023. This is a highly interactive session on data journalism and using FOI’s as story sources.

Safety and resilience for journalists

TUTOR WORKSHOP 09.11.2023. Safeguarding journalists is hugely important for the industry – as individuals continue to be targeted while doing their jobs. Online abuse is a particular concern with an increase in trolling on social media platforms which has, in turn, had an impact on the mental heal…

Developing interviewing skills

LUNCH AND LEARN 08.11.2023. This short session will be led by a leading industry professional with experience in how effective interviewing skills can benefit you in all fields of journalism from the newsroom to sport and feature writing.

Leadership: Being an effective communicator

MASTERCLASS 07.11.2023. Discover news ways to use communication to motivate your team, influence others and make key changes.

Editing skills

MASTERCLASSES 06.11.2023 to 10.11.2023. A flexible 5-day course where you can book individual or all sessions. Learn the essentials skills everyone needs to edit copy and oversee other people’s work – whether that’s a report, news story or press release.

Introduction to podcasting

MASTERCLASS 02.11.2023. Journalists need a wider range of skills than ever. Podcasts have become popular across the media landscape and are now an essential part of many news organisations’ output.

Feature writing

MASTERCLASS 27.10.2023. Are you thinking of breaking into long-form writing, but need to know how? Then this feature writing masterclass could be for you.

Essential journalism

EXAM REFRESHER 26.10.2023. Diploma in Journalism students can prepare for the essential journalism exam with this online refresher session. It is ideal for distance learners, giving them valuable time with an experienced tutor.

Video skills: Long-form vs short-form content

MASTERCLASS 26.10.2023. Video has become one of the most powerful storytelling formats in the publishing world with audiences increasingly choosing to consume content in visual form. This course will demonstrate the importance of video as an essential format for publishing content across multiple pl…

Essential media law

EXAM REFRESHER 25.10.2023. Diploma in Journalism students can prepare for the essential media law exam with this online refresher session. It is ideal for distance learners, giving them valuable time with an experienced tutor.

Feature writing

MASTERCLASS 20.10.2023. Are you thinking of breaking into long-form writing, but need to know how? Then this feature writing masterclass could be for you.

Safety and resilience for journalists

LUNCH AND LEARN 13.10.2023. Safeguarding journalists is hugely important for the industry – as individuals continue to be targeted while doing their jobs. Online abuse is a particular concern with an increase in trolling on social media platforms which has, in turn, had an impact on the mental hea…

Mental health and wellbeing in the newsroom

MASTERCLASS 11.10.2023. In the week of World Mental Health Day, this new training session will highlight some of the issues about mental health and wellbeing in the newsroom. It is important for journalists and editors to be aware of some of the risks in a rapidly-changing industry and in …