The Office for National Statistics (ONS) today launched a new internship in data journalism, part of its ongoing investment in skills to meet the challenge of providing richer and faster statistics to inform the UK’s decision-makers and public. ONS recently introduced the UK’s first data analytics apprenticeships.

Working in partnership with media outlets including the BBC, Press Association, the Telegraph and Trinity Mirror group, the scheme provides an opportunity for six successful candidates to develop their expertise in data journalism.

“We know that people value the reliability and independence of ONS statistics” says ONS Managing Editor of Digital Publishing, Darren Waters. “We want to see as many people as possible being able to use such data to help shape their understanding of society and the economy. Data journalism has an important role to play in making information accessible to a wide audience.”

Six successful candidates will have the opportunity to develop their skills over four weeks this summer, working with leading data journalists at ONS or one of its media partners.

The scheme is open to people aged 18 or over who are full- or part-time students on a postgraduate journalism scheme at an accredited UK university. Recent graduates of such a scheme are also welcome to apply.

Visit our data journalism intern scheme page to find out more and to apply.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 28 April.

Media contacts:

Media Relations Office: +44 (0)845 6041858

Emergency on-call: +44 (0)7867 906553

E-mail: media.relations@ons.gov.uk