Ten journalism graduates are beginning paid placements with independent radio stations across the country as part of the latest Learning Waves Journalism Graduate Programme.

The programme was officially launched at the Broadcast Centre in Waterford.

It combines five-month newsroom placements with industry-led training in areas including broadcast journalism, media law, voice training, disinformation, artificial intelligence and digital content.

This year’s participants will work with stations including Beat, South East Radio, KCLR, Newstalk and Galway Bay FM.

More than 90% of graduates who completed the programme over the past three years have remained working in independent radio.

Learning Waves Network Director Teresa Hanratty said the programme gives graduates experience that is difficult to replicate in a classroom by allowing them to work directly in live newsrooms.

The programme is jointly funded by Learning Waves, Coimisiún na Meán and Skillnet Ireland.