IT'S an increasingly difficult industry to get a foothold in - and paid traineeships are rarer than hens teeth.

So here's a good one for all you skint but talented John Humphrys and Joan Bakewells out there. Four fully funded scolarships in broadcast journalism, worth more than four grand each, are being offered in Liverpool.

Bauer, the media company behind Radio City are seeking the radio talent of the future. You might even get to make Pete Price's tea.

It helps if you are from a minority group, they say, and here's your first deadline: applications have to be in by December 31.

The blurb goes like this: "The Bauer Academy – which provides training for Bauer’s radio and publishing professionals on brands including KISS, Magic and Absolute Radio and many popular local radio stations, is offering talented applicants including those from underrepresented groups, the opportunity to apply to train as broadcast journalists at Radio City in Liverpool.

"Four fully funded scholarship places on Bauer’s Diploma in Radio Journalism course are available. And with support from Creative Skillset there is additional funding available for applicants from eligible underrepresented groups*.

The scholarship covers all fees (currently £4,250), Applications need to be submitted for the scholarships by 31 December.

This intense, practical, and demanding thirteen week course has been described as the future of post graduate provision. Uniquely the course is based at the studios of one of the country’s most successful commercial radio stations, Radio City. 

Students not only get a chance to broadcast weekly on the course’s own radio station, but when they are sufficiently skilled they get the opportunity to broadcast on Radio City and City Talk.

At the end of the course, students are guaranteed two weeks work placement at one of Bauer’s radio stations.

"The course is all about getting our students jobs in the industry," it goes on. Students from the last few courses are now working as professional journalists at BBC 5live, LBC, Jazz FM, Liverpool TV, Radio City, Dee 106.3 and Metro FM. 

Creative Skillset Diversity and Inclusion Manager Jo Welch said: “This scholarship can really help open doors to nurture talented applicants who often have difficulty accessing recruitment routes into radio, allowing Bauer to reach some gifted and diverse broadcasters of the future that they might otherwise miss.”

For information on how to apply visit www.baueracademy.co.uk/courses  or email hello@bauermedia.co.uk to find out more.