James Dodd

The course I studied on last year – the the only National council for the training of journalists (NCTJ) photography course in the UK – has apparently just died?

The Sheffield based course – which celebrated it’s 30th year this year and was due (possibly still is) to hold an exhibition by graduates over this period – has been responsible for many of the countries press photographers including the likes on Dan Chung (dslr news shooter), Leon Neal and even photographer Simon Roberts.

Paul Sanders, Picture editor of The Times had this to say via facebook:
“Sad day for news photography. The Sheffield Nctj course is officially dead. Cut because of a lack of funding. The end of an era.”

and Sam Barcroft of Barcroft Media (http://www.barcroftmedia.com) added this, also via facebook:
“i’m a bit baffled as to why such a successful course has been cut. Seems more valuable to society than surfing studies etc”

But the news didn’t break as a surprise to all.

After difficulties with exams in 2009: from HTFP: “a decision by the National Council for the Training of Journalists to invalidate the paper owing to a procedural blunder.” (http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/training/090812blunder.shtml), and rumours of a possible retirement for course leader Paul Delmar, maybe it was best to call time on the current structure?

According to one source at Sheffield College the course has been dropped resulting from cuts in adult education at the centre.

Interestingly, to celebrate it’s 30th year (and what may be it’s last) the NCTJ announced an exhibition for photographers.
Details of that can be found here: http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/photo/100609nctjexhibition.shtml

Hopefully the exhibition will still be taking place, and hopefully we’ll not be without the course for long.
I’d honestly like to see it bounce back with fresh lease of life, possibly at a new centre, and hopefully with Paul Delmar still playing some sort of role.

Update

As of 17th of July – and according to industry leading websites – the course could still have some life in it yet.
The college is currently looking into whether the course can function with an increase in fees.

more details available here and here.

Update 2: 03/07/2010

According to Paul Sanders, Picture editor of The Times and NCTJ Photography board member:

“It looks like the next Nctj course has been saved by mr delmar alone. He’s mustered enough students for the college to rethink. The legacy continues”