Sanjana Idnani, who worked as a multimedia reporter at Inside Croydon in 2021, has won Apprentice of the Year at the National Council for the Training of Journalists’ Awards for Excellence.
Award-winner: Sanjana Idnani at the NCTJ ceremony with her proud mum, Henna Idnani
The NCTJ awards celebrate journalism apprentices’ all-round achievement, and Idnani’s prize included £200 cash. She received her prize at a prestigious ceremony staged at Hallé St Peters in Manchester earlier this month.
Idnani, from Purley, has been working at BBC Wales in Cardiff as a Level 7 journalism apprentice, a programme that, according to the NCTJ, is “designed to develop advanced journalistic skills, including leadership, management, and digital strategy”, and is the equivalent to a master’s degree.
Idnani won her category from among a record-breaking number of entries, more than 400 from across the country, “highlighting the exceptional talent emerging in the industry”, the NCTJ said.
“The submissions reflect the dedication, creativity and hard work of the next generation of journalists, and it’s an inspiring testament to the talent emerging from NCTJ-accredited courses and apprenticeship programmes,” said Joanne Forbes, the NCTJ’s CEO.
Idnani finished her journalism apprenticeship at BBC Wales News in September and now has a full-time BBC job as a multimedia journalist, reporting across BBC Wales’ television and online channels.
Her work covering vulnerable groups, including children in care, won praise from the NCTJ judges.
Idnani said: “I’m so honoured to have my work recognised at these awards. It would not have been possible without all the brilliant mentors who have guided me on my journalism journey.
“I got into journalism because I was passionate about telling the stories that affected people in my community and I’m so glad that one of my first jobs in the industry was with a website in my home town of Croydon.
“While I’m in a different country now, I learnt so many valuable skills while working at Inside Croydon which gave me the foundations for the work I do today and encouraged me to look into the stories of people who often are unheard.”
She added: “I’m looking forward to seeing where I can go next and what stories are out there to tell.”
Read, and listen to, some of the important work that Sanjana Idnani did while undertaking her work experience at Inside Croydon:
- #Binmageddon: 1,000 street bins have vanished from borough
- Knife crime worsened by lack of hope offered to a generation
- Commentary: Those in power are enabling a whole culture of racism
- Volunteer self-funds kids’ summer club after council delays
- Croydon wages are shrinking as borough’s economy grows
WORK EXPERIENCE AT INSIDE CROYDON: This website has in the past offered placements for pupils and students aged between 15 and 20. We have no opportunities available in 2025, however. Applications for work experience in 2026 may be submitted now, and should include a full CV, a covering letter explaining why you are applying, and if possible, a copy of some of your previous journalism work
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Well done Sanjana! A stellar future awaits! Don’t be shy to say you’re from Croydon 🙂
Congratulations Sanjana.
Congrats from an NCTJ vet who didn’t get an award or one of the highly prized apprenticeships at Inside Croydon