Welcome to the ITV News Traineeship recruitment for 2020-21

ITV News delivers high quality and trustworthy coverage attracting record audiences. We are offering you the opportunity to join our national and regional news teams as a trainee journalist.  You will be taught all the skills you’ll need to work in one of our multi-media news operations. We’re looking for people who can demonstrate a commitment to journalism, have great story ideas and are ambitious. 

The majority of our trainees go on to secure roles across our regional, national and international news teams, both in front and behind the camera.  This is a great opportunity to begin your career with ITV, Britain's most popular commercial broadcaster. You will be learning from talented people who want to share their skills and experience with you.  It’s a fast-paced and challenging environment so you should be ready to work hard and to high standards. You will be well supported with regular feedback and guidance.   

This is a nine-month programme starting on Monday 28th September 2020 and we are looking for 12 talented journalists, seven of whom will work in one of our English Regional newsrooms in ITV Anglia (Norwich); ITV Central (Birmingham); ITV Granada (Media City, Salford); ITV Meridian (Nr Southampton); ITV Tyne Tees & Border (Gateshead, nr Newcastle); ITV West Country (Bristol); or ITV Yorkshire (Leeds). Two trainees will be based in our national newsrooms; one for ITV Cymru Wales in Cardiff and the other for UTV in Belfast. Two trainees will be working in our Network newsroom based in London, plus we have an opportunity for one trainee to be based in Jersey at ITV Channel (St Helier).

You’ll receive a salary of £24,116 per annum for all roles outside of London (£26,660 pro-rata in London) and five weeks paid annual leave during the scheme, plus public holidays. A very high percentage of those who graduate from the programme have gone on to secure permanent jobs with both ITV News and ITV more widely, although there are no guarantees of continued employment beyond the 9 months.

Am I eligible to apply?

We’re particularly interested in talented and enthusiastic people who have committed themselves to a career in journalism, either through their writing, work experience, academic choices or their career so far. If you’re looking to change your career and you can demonstrate an interest in Journalism, your application will be welcome. You will need to provide evidence of having a GCSE in English Language or equivalent (Grade B or above), as well as being able to evidence your genuine interest in news output.

You will need to be over the age of 18 by 28 September 2020. Our development programme involves attending short periods of training in other parts of the country so you must be prepared to travel (ITV will provide accommodation and travel costs). You need to be based in the UK or Channel Islands and have the right to work here, as ITV News does not sponsor work permits for its traineeship schemes.  

What’s next?

Applications can only be made for this scheme online. However, ITV is an inclusive employer and if you require this information in an alternative format, please contact newstraineeship2020@itv.com. NB This address should only be used for this purpose and no general queries or personal information should be sent to this inbox. 

As part of the application process we are asking you to record two short 60 second clips to be sent as a link and uploaded. If you would rather tell us in writing or are unable to produce a clip, that’s fine and you will be able to provide a written statement instead). If either of these methods are unsuitable, please contact newstraineeship2020@itv.com

Full details will be provided within the application form on what we’d like you to cover in your clips. A top tip for uploading a link would be: to create a youtube account (or equivalent), record the clip by using a mobile/tablet/ laptop device or desktop, upload the footage to Youtube to generate a link and then include the link in your application form. Don’t forget to state your name clearly at the start of the clip.

Your application will be assessed in two stages which are clearly outlined on the application form. If you don’t get through the first stage, your second stage answers which are mainly scenario and writing based tests will not be considered. 

The scheme goes live on Monday 3rd February. 

We reach millions of people everyday, that’s why having diverse talent and being an organisation where colleagues feel included is crucial to us. We have various networks who celebrate and support our colleagues. We try to embed an inclusive mindset in everything we do.  Find out more here 

Candidates who declared a disability and meet the minimum criteria will be invited to an interview - find out more here. We're happy to discuss any additional support you may need during our application process as part of our reasonable adjustments approach. So we encourage you to get in touch with us if you require additional support.

The minimum criteria for the traineeship are for you to demonstrate:

- that your experience to date shows you have a strong interest in news and a commitment to a career in journalism  

- that you can bring an original perspective and have creative ideas

- that you are detail orientated, with good spelling, language and grammar skills

- that you are able to critically analyse a programme or piece of text and draw out the key themes

If shortlisted, you will be invited to a one-day assessment centre at ITV’s London office on either Tuesday 31st March or Wednesday 1st April 2020. Please note that ITV News is not able to accommodate additional interview and assessment dates.  

Closing date for applications:  Sunday 23 February 2020 (23:59).