The National Council for the Training of Journalists has hosted its first higher education forum.

Seventeen journalism heads of department and course leaders gathered at Nottingham Trent University to discuss ideas and issues about delivering NCTJ accredited vocational skills training in higher education.

This included loking at how adjustments might be made to the law and public affairs syllabuses and how the administration of exams and marking criteria might be improved. There was also discussion on the teaching of convergent journalism skills.

Professor Peter Cole, NCTJ vice-chairman, chaired the meeting and NCTJ chief executive Joanne Butcher, qualifications manager Lyn Jones and head of accreditation Stephen Chambers also attended the event.

Joanne said: "The NCTJ appreciates the distinctiveness of higher education and its value to the industry, and we are committed to working in partnership with educators.

"It is a challenge to maintain one standard which applies to all providers – higher and further education as well as commercial and in-company.

"However, it is the standard that editors recognise and value and I'm sure the constructive debate at the forum about some of the issues will continue."

A further education forum will be held at Wolverhampton College on February 2.

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