The Newspaper Qualifications Council, which oversees NVQ workplace training for journalists in the newspaper industry, was relaunched this week under the chairmanship of Keith Parker.
A former editor and now managing director of the Express & Star, Wolverhampton, Parker said: “We believe in the NVQ route and that they produce the best journalists.”
One of the council’s first moves was to rename the cumbersome Level 4 National Vocational Training Qualification in Journalism as the Diploma in Newspaper Journalism.
“It is easy to identify and the correct description of a qualification we think is recognisable by the industry,” Parker said. The NQC will now seek the views of the industry on training needs.
Parker added: “The NVQ is about proving competence to work as journalists in the newsroom through written and published evidence so they are able to demonstrate their knowledge of law, ethics and public affairs and not simply be exposed to an examination on one day. There needs to be continuing assessment of an individual trainee’s work and it must be verified.”
The reactivated council includes Adrian Faber, editor of the Express & Star; Barrie Williams, editor of the Western Morning News; Simon Irwin, editorial director of the Kent Messenger Group; and Keith Sutton, editorial director of Cumbrian Newspapers.
Also on the council are John Fry, Archant chief executive, Bob Satchwell, executive director of the Society of Editors, and Pat Pilton, Press Association director of editorial operations.
By Jon Slattery
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