Positive Action Scheme 2026 - Social Class

The Guardian believes there should be a better representation of our diverse society in the media. To break down barriers, each summer we run a work-experience scheme for those considering a career in journalism. This year our London office will run a dedicated social class paid work-experience scheme for aspiring journalists from working-class backgrounds.

To ensure this scheme supports those who need it most, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria to qualify as being from a working-class background:

• 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 working class, OR
• Whilst at school you were eligible for free school meals, OR
• Your parents did not attend university.

Successful applicants will spend two weeks between Monday June 22 and Friday July 3, learning about different aspects of the profession across a range of departments. Sections you’ll experience might include Features, Multimedia, Sport, Saturday magazine, Podcasting, Business/Consumer, Environment, among others. You’ll shadow journalists 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:

• lower supervisory, technical and semi-routine workers (e.g. foreman, mechanic, electrician, train driver, printer, shop assistant, traffic warden, housekeeper, farmworker) or cleaner, porter, waiter, labourer, refuse collector, bricklayer, or workless families.

To be considered for a placement you must be at least 18 years old, with the right to train in the UK at the time of application, 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.

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. Please note, for your application to be considered, we require all of the above to be included.

Deadline for receipt of applications is midnight on Sunday 29th March 2026. Interviews are scheduled to take place in late April or early May.

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments as detailed by the Equality Act 2010. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout the process, in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to help your application, this includes providing documents in accessible formats or personalising the process to better support your needs. Please contact Sean on sean.brinkley@theguardian.com to discuss further so we can work with you to support you through your application.

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.