Learning from experienced colleagues while getting the chance to be hands-on in the job are just two of the reasons one apprenticeship journalist believes it is a great route into the industry.
National Apprenticeship Week takes place from February 10 to 16, encouraging people across the UK involved in apprenticeships and skills to celebrate the value, benefit, and opportunity that they bring.
Co-ordinated by the Department for Education, the theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2025 is ‘Skills For Life’.
Apprentice journalist Marcus McQuilton is working for the Farnham Herald series, along with the Woking News & Mail, as his launchpad into a journalism career having previously worked in catering.
Marcus talks about the appeal of working in a multimedia training role for Tindle and the exciting opportunities he has already had working with us:
How have you found the apprenticeship to date?
I have found the apprenticeship tough but very rewarding and every day is different. Working in a fast-paced digital environment means things have to be done no matter what the time or day of the week it is.
Being a local reporter means being there for the stories that matter, this includes on weekends or late nights. This has helped me develop personally, becoming more organised, efficient and confident.
This working environment has also pushed me to try new things which may be out of my comfort zone at first but then it becomes easier the more I try – whether I fail or succeed.
What skills have you learned?
Working in a digital-first environment my multimedia skills have improved working on videos for articles, as well as for Facebook and Instagram.
My writing has improved as I write several articles a day and I’m in constant contact with my Chief Reporter and Editor on how I can improve writing for the paper and the web. This has led to me writing feature pieces, funny stories with puns and impactful hard news.
The tools and techniques I use for news gathering have improved as my contact list has built up and my knowledge of where to find stories has improved. I have done stories digging into data, interviewing big names and created stories from chats I have had with dog walkers.
Contact building and networking is a skill I have been developing. Trying to attend as many events, meetings and venues in Farnham. Often, I attend events where I’m covering a story and just from chatting to people I end up with notepads filled with ideas, contacts and stories.
What has been the benefit of learning in a working environment?
Learning in a working environment has accelerated my development as I implement new knowledge into my work as soon as possible. I have also been given room to make mistakes at work which gives me the great opportunity to learn from them and see where I went wrong.
Working in a small team which is host to reporters with decades of experience in local, national and international news I have been allowed to soak up soft-skills from them and find out little tips here and there to improve my skills.
Articles going live means what I create has importance and there is no greater feeling when somebody sends you a message or stops you in the street and says I liked your article on a particular issue.
What would you say to others considering an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship gives you the perfect environment to learn and develop skills. Studying whilst working gives you the best of both worlds and it allows you to apply what you learn in the classroom directly into your work the next day.
Throwing yourself in the deep end and getting stuck in is often the best and fastest way to learn. Trying things when you may not feel confident or skilled enough also helps you to improve your skills and confidence.