Apprenticeship

Journalist (level 6)

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Information about Journalist (level 6)

To inform the public – either through news and current events, or through the creation of authoritative features, opinion or analysis.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Employer's target audience, both in terms of demographic and sociographic profile, and understanding audiences’.needs from the media.
  • The relevant legislation, regulation and ethical issues that affect journalists and confidential material including: defamation; contempt of court; reporting restrictions; privacy, copyright.
  • Current legal and regulatory changes affecting journalists' work include codes of conduct and compliance with bodies like IPSO, the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, BBC editorial guidelines, and individual employer guidelines.
  • Tools and techniques used to identify, locate and establish physical and on-line contacts and sources to inform and contribute to content.
  • The techniques to use audience analytics to drive audience interaction.
  • Techniques of story-telling concepts, how they work individually, and how they can work in combination
  • Methods for generating original and exclusive content, and the contexts within which the content can be used.
  • The techniques to use to extract compelling stories from (big) data sets, such as financial information from companies or government.
  • Current and non-standard techniques used to present data stories in a visual way that helps the target audience understand the subject matter.
  • Techniques, strategies and lines of questioning to extract required information from interviewees.
  • When specialist subject knowledge is required, and how to obtain this using appropriate research techniques to ensure accuracy.
  • The theoretical and practical uses of social media platforms, the issues and risks and how that aligns with the employer’s target audience and protocols.
  • Technical requirements of equipment and software to create high quality, multi-platform journalism.
  • Tools and techniques for shooting and editing video and audio to meet standards for publication on different platforms.
  • Employer’s editing protocols and software.
  • Methods and techniques used to proofread content and edit as required.
  • Own role, and responsibilities within the wider team and impact on others.
  • Current industry trends across the media and how these apply to journalism.
  • Methods to communicate potential story ideas and present to diverse audiences, adapting communication techniques accordingly.
  • Why seeking feedback on your work practices and evaluating areas for development and continuous improvement is important.
  • The professional ethics and practices within the media industry and how these relate to re.utational risk.
  • The capabilities, benefits and risks of AI and digital tools within the role including responsible use and ethical considerations.
  • The importance of clear, timely communication for productive working relationships.
  • The importance of environmental sustainability and organisational processes for working on journalistic content.
  • Employment structures and opportunities in the sector, how freelance and employed roles function, their responsibilities, and the importance of self-promotion.

  Skills

  • Identify and use techniques to extract compelling stories from big data sets, social media and reports to create the most effective story or feature for the target audience.
  • Undertake research before reporting to ensure that published or broadcast content is accurate, compelling and verifiable.
  • Identify, select and use multiple sources of information, cross-checking and corroborating when necessary; taking accurate notes when and where needed.
  • Present data stories in a visual way that helps the target audience understand the subject matter.
  • Research, evaluate and select a method and the platform or platforms to be used to tell stories which will meet the employer’s strategic goals.
  • Modify or combine information from multiple sources including people, reports, data and social media.
  • Produce content in accordance with legal, regulatory and organisational requirements; use different multimedia combinations where needed.
  • Make decisions and judgements at speed and when under pressure, on the way stories are researched and presented when breaking news.
  • Assess the legal or regulatory issues and take responsibility for a course of action with regard to publication and decide when professional legal advice is needed or referral to editorial manager.
  • Interrogate sources of information to establish the demographic and sociographic profile of the employer’s target audience to find where suitable contacts could be located.
  • Develop relationships with contacts to find exclusive stories which meet the needs of the target audience; verify information from contacts and review its short and long-term implications.
  • Identify and evaluate contacts to make decisions as to how best to nurture the contact; assessing where legal, regulatory, ethical problems may arise from working with a contact.
  • Monitor relevant social media on a systematic basis, proactively seek new sources of user- generated content that will help improve targeted content and audience engagement.
  • Evaluate a wide range of social media platforms, identifying and selecting the appropriate social media for the content, maintaining the correct tone for the platform being used.
  • Produce content which resonates with the audience as measured by audience analytics, social media interaction and reach, and internal tools used by employers to understand audience sentiment.
  • Undertake different types of interview to extract information, even from those who are reluctant to speak; identifying and selecting the right interviewing technique to suit the interviewee.
  • Analyse answers from interviewees to inform questioning and other people to speak to. Probe for detail and inconsistencies in replies from interviewee.
  • Take responsibility for ensuring that material from outside sources is verified, conforms to all legal, regulatory and ethical issues and is presented to the audience in the correct manner.
  • Evaluate own work to check this is produced to industry standards and is of a quality to maintain and advance the organisation's reputation in the industry, making changes when needed.
  • Format and edit other’s work to meet the employer’s audience, following employer’s guides to editing, using approved programs and checking materials taking editorial responsibility to reduce the time and costs of the editing process.
  • Proactively develop and maintain own professional competence, with the willingness to learn new processes and technical skills, and manage own continuing professional development - CPD.
  • Produce authentic, accurate and verifiable publication and or broadcast content.
  • Seek constructive feedback from relevant people about your performance; taking action as required.
  • Work through editorial situations at speed and when under pressure, demonstrating well-developed editorial judgement in line with their organisation’s editorial values and aims.
  • Use and develop systems to track contributions from sources, including any agreements made with the people submitting the content.
  • Use and promote sustainable practices in line with organisational policy.

  Behaviours

  • Proactive and reacts positively to emerging trends; is curious, forward-looking, open to change and looks to find ways which will enhance the overall experience of the audience.
  • Works tenaciously and on own initiative to produce content and tell stories in the most eye-catching and compelling manner. Takes responsibility for seeing the bigger picture.
  • Work ethically and with integrity; exercising autonomy when making judgements and offering advice to others. Is empathetic, builds trust and is a good listener while still evaluating the information being received. Encourages diversity and equal opportunity both in their storytelling style and the content agenda.
  • Work in a transparent and open way; making judgements free from bias and taking on responsibility as needed as to what should and should not be changed in the editing process.
  • Demonstrate flexibility and resilience; adapts positively to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met.
  • Undertake continuous professional development; maintains, updates and grows knowledge and skills for the role.
• Training category (sector): Creative and design
• Training level: 6; Equal to degree
• Course duration: 18 months
• Maximum funding: £14,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Broadcast journalist
  • Content editor
  • Digital editor
  • Features editor
  • Journalist
  • Multimedia reporter
  • Producer
  • Senior content creator
  • Senior journalist
  • Senior reporter
  • Video journalist

View more information about Journalist (level 6) from Skills England.