The new National Council for the Training of Journalists' on-the-job training logbook has been launched for trainees taking the National Certificate Examination.

The logbook was devised after consultations with editors, trainers and trainees and represents one of biggest changes to the NCE in nearly 50 years.

It will provide a concise guideline on standards and from Spring 2004 all candidates will need to submit a completed logbook before sitting their final exams.

It will then be marked as a fourth section of the NCE alongside the speech, interview and newspaper practice papers.

The logbook maps out the stories that candidates need to cover during the minimum 18 months they spend at work before taking their qualifying exams - with 17 key tasks from which they are required to submit original copy and published cuttings.

There are also assessment forms which trainers and editors have to complete every three months in order to provide a permanent record of each trainee's progress.

Trainees can get their free copy of the logbook by contacting the NCTJ at: Latton Bush Centre, Southern Way, Harlow, Essex CM18 7BL, or by calling 01279 430009. Additional copies are available at £10 each.

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