Positive Action Scheme 2025 - Social Class

The Guardian believes there should be a better representation of our diverse society in the media and, to break down barriers, each summer we run a work-experience scheme for those considering a career in journalism.

This year, for the first time, our London office is running a social class scheme to provide paid work experience for those from working-class backgrounds.

By working-class background we mean:

• You attended state school or college for the entirety of your education, AND
• The occupation of your main household earner when you were aged 14 is categorised as coming from a working class background (see below)*, OR
• Whilst at school you were eligible for free school meals, OR
• Your parents did not attend university.

Successful applicants will spend two weeks during June or July, learning about different aspects of the profession across a range of departments. Sections you'll experience might include Features, Multimedia, Podcasting, Business/Consumer, Environment, or Sport.

You'll shadow journalists, assist editors with research tasks, and have a chance to pitch story ideas. You will see up close the daily discussions and decision-making which help create our newspaper and website.

You will also have an experienced journalist as a mentor to offer careers advice.

*The Social Mobility Commission refers to working-class occupations as:

• technical and craft occupations such as motor mechanic, plumber, printer, electrician, gardener, train driver;
• routine, semi-routine manual and service occupations such as postal worker, machine operative, security guard, caretaker, farm worker, catering assistant, sales assistant, HGV driver, cleaner, porter, packer, labourer, waiter or waitress, bar staff;
• long-term unemployed (claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance or earlier unemployment benefit for more than a year).

Further information can be found here .

Criteria

To be considered for a placement you must be at least 18 years old, with the right to work or train in the UK, and be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in journalism – for example, having work published online or in print, involvement in student journalism, work experience on local/specialist media, or an impressive personal website or blog.

The aim of this scheme is to introduce aspiring journalists or those at the start of their careers to the Guardian’s editorial environment. For this reason experienced professional journalists, and those who have received a previous placement at GNM, are not eligible to apply for these positions.

For applicants who have no access to accommodation in London (nor the ability to travel daily to our King’s Cross headquarters), the Sarah Hughes Trust has kindly offered to provide a small number of grants. If you'd like to be considered for one of these, you can do so via the application form.

Application instructions

Please attach the following three things within ONE document:

• A covering letter (no more than 200 words) explaining:
  how you qualify for this social class scheme, based on the definition above;
  why you're applying;
  and what you hope to learn from your time with us.
• Your current CV.
• A 400-word feature or comment article on a current issue which you believe will be of interest to Guardian readers.

You’ll have the chance to upload this document when making your application.

Deadline for receipt of applications is midnight on Sunday 30 March 2025.

We're committed to providing reasonable adjustments as detailed by the Equality Act 2010. Should you require any particular adjustments to be made to allow you to fully participate in the recruitment and work experience process, please email

We value and respect all differences (seen and unseen) in all people at the Guardian. We aspire to have inclusive working experiences and an environment that reflects the audience we serve, where our people have equal access to career development opportunities, their voices are heard and can contribute to our future.

Positive action is covered by section 158 of the Equality Act 2010