JOURNALISM APPRENTICE SCOOPS TOP AWARD

A journalism apprentice from City of Wolverhampton College has been recognised for achieving the top marks in the country in his exams.

Atif Rashid, a Digital Journalist Apprentice with the BBC, was presented with an NCTJ Diploma Exam Award at the 2018 Student Council Meeting at BBC Academy Birmingham on February 2.

The 26-year-old, who works at BBC Berkshire, and has made viral videos, radio packages and reported at elections as part of his role, achieved the accolade for gaining top marks in the broadcast journalism assessments. He was presented with his award by Catherine Houlihan, managing editor of ITV Border.

Atif said: “Without the support, training and help from BBC Academy and City of Wolverhampton College, I would never have achieved this. It just goes to show, you don’t know what you’re capable of until you try it and you’ll end up surprising yourself many times.

“The great thing about journalism and the apprenticeship is that you’re doing something different all the time, trying out a variety of roles. But my main focus is making short videos for social media, filming and editing. I’ve also written copy for online news and helped produce radio shows and made TV and radio packages which have been broadcast.”

Regional and national television journalist Nick Owen, currently presenter of BBC Midlands Today, who hosted the event, said: “The NCTJ demands such a high standard from students and trainees because that’s what will be expected of them in this exciting and competitive industry.

“Passing the diploma exams is a great achievement, but to get the highest marks in the UK is exceptional.”

City of Wolverhampton College has been working with the BBC to deliver journalism training since 2014. To find out more about studying journalism at the college visit www.wolvcoll.ac.uk