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Training course deadline appoaching

By 22nd May 2011July 27th, 2023No Comments
News

Graduates who may like to pursue a journalism or PR career in agriculture or horticulture have until Friday, June 3 to submit an application for the new entrants training course organised by Guild member Steve Mitchell on behalf of the Guild and sponsor John Deere.

Now in its 19th year, the course is designed to support one of the principal aims of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists – promoting schemes for the provision of suitable entrants into agricultural and horticultural journalism. Although usually attended by 10 young students with little or no experience, Steve emphasises that the course is open to potential journalists of any age, as long as they have not been employed in this role for more than 12 months.

“Many of today’s journalists and PR executives working in the land-based industries received an early boost to their careers from winning a place on previous John Deere Training Award courses,” he points out. “They include 2009 ‘best course article’ winner Janine Heath (pictured above left), who now works as a video journalist at Harper Adams University College, and 2007 winner Charlotte Johnston, a junior editor at website specialist 5M Publishing.”

There are 10 places available on this year’s course, which will run from July 17 to 19 at John Deere headquarters in Langar, Notts covering lectures and practical exercises, plus three days’ work experience for each student at a publication or in a PR team. Students write a news story judged by an expert panel, with the winner receiving a £250 cheque and the handsome John Deere trophy.

Members who know of potential candidates for the course should either direct them to the Guild website or the virtual press room on the John Deere website where full details and an application form can be downloaded. Alternatively, contact course organiser Steve Mitchell at ASM Public Relations (024 7630 8912).