The next generation of BBC journalists

Helen Boaden welcomes the new journalism trainees to the BBC.

Last night I welcomed the latest intake of trainees onto our Journalism Trainee Scheme. This is the fifth course we've run and, once again, we're both impressed and very proud of the people we've met and selected for this year's scheme.

The 12 trainees will now embark on the year-long course, taking up placements all around the UK. They will work across a broad range of BBC services to gain the widest experience possible to equip them for employment when the scheme ends. This will involve finding and researching news stories, writing and presenting bulletins, and reporting for TV, radio and online. They will also be assigned a mentor, to support and guide them throughout the year. In turn, we expect lots of hard work and for them to maintain the high professional standards expected of BBC journalists.

The 2012 intake of journalism trainees are pictured with Ruth Akins (far left), Claire Prosser(far right) and Helen Boaden (centre).

It's been a rigorous selection process and we've looked for the best of each individual. In recruiting for the course, we are more concerned with talent, potential and passion to achieve great things than academic background and this is reflected in the diversity of candidates accepted each year.

Our new trainees should feel very proud. They're going to receive impeccable training to be the best, impartial journalists who care about delivering the very best for their audiences. We wish them well !

• Find out more about how the BBC trains new journalists on the Journalism Trainee Scheme website
• The BBC Academy website spoke to some of the 2012 trainees during the launch event.
• Read blogs from last year's intake of journalism trainees by Andy Burke, Hannah Livingstone and Elizabeth Dawson on the BBC College of Journalism website.