The National Council for the Training of Journalists has set up a new board which will be led by Glasgow Evening Times editor Donald Martin.

Called the 'Journalism Qualifications Board', its aim is to plan the ongoing development of the training body's multimedia qualifications.

It brings together the NCTJ's chief examiners for each of its journalism disciplines – newspaper journalism, public affairs, media law, shorthand, photography, sports journalism, sub-editing and video/online journalism.

Additional members are being recruited to the board to ensure the interests of the industry, training providers, trainees and students are fully met.

Donald, who has already served on the NCTJ board of directors for more than a year, said: "I want this board to take a completely fresh look at the structure, content and assessment of journalism qualifications we offer to ensure they continue to meet the demands of modern newsrooms.

"Innovative training and qualifications are crucial to help accelerate the effective transition newsrooms are making from single to multi-platform publishing.

"With demands increasing for multi-skilled journalists and new developments in technology, the NCTJ has broadened its range of qualifications, modernised its assessments and integrated the testing of online journalism skills.

"However, the debate continues about balancing new and old journalism, what should be core and optional, and how people can be trained with the right skillsets and mindsets."

The subject areas under the board's remit include news gathering, writing and reporting, media law, public affairs and magazine journalism.

The board will be responsible for the overall structure and content of both the preliminary Certificates in Journalism and the National Certificate Examinations.

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