Newspaper staff involved in training junior reporters are being offered help on getting to grips with the new National Council for the Training of Journalists logbook.

The new on-the-job training logbook is now being used in many newspaper offices.

In less than a year's time the first candidates will hand in their completed copies to be marked as a fourth section of the National Certificate Examination alongside their speech, interview and newspaper practice papers.

Any candidates who submit an unsatisfactory logbook will not qualify for a certificate - even if they have passed the other three sections, so the NCTJ is organising a free seminar to help editors and other trainers familiarise themselves with the new system.

The logbook is the biggest change to the NCE in nearly 50 years and was introduced after editors and trainers expressed concerns the trainees were failing to get the practical experience needed to qualify as senior journalists.

And the London seminar will give editors and trainers the chance to ask questions and discuss any problems that may have already arisen.

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.

Although not difficult to complete, trainees do need the help of editors, newsdesks and trainers who also have to complete assessment forms every three months to provide a permanent record of each trainee's progress.

If you are involved in the training of journalists and would like to attend the free seminar contact Jan Alder on 01279 430009 or e-mail jan@nctj.com.

Workshops to help trainees get the most from thier logbook are expected to be held later in the year.

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Do you have a story about the training regional press journalists? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk