LOGBOOKS
– 137 candidates;
– 128 passed – 93 per cent

Once again the great majority of candidates passed the Logbook section reflecting the quality of work being produced by trainees and the commitment to training in most newspaper offices.

Of the nine who failed, only one did so mainly because the quality of submitted copy was simply too poor, typified by stories which didn’t make sense and a numeracy submission which didn’t add up.

The rest fell down on a range of key tasks. Some simply left sections blank, either by mistake or because they were unable to find appropriate submissions. The markers were disturbed to see that a key task cover sheet in one Logbook had been signed off as complete by the trainer even though the rest of the page was blank and no copy or cuttings were submitted.

Other candidates entered inappropriate copy; planning meetings masquerading as public inquiries; a rally-cross entered as a review; a political story in which the only political angle was a reference to protesting villagers planning to contact their MP; ‘picture stories’ where illustrations were clearly an afterthought and bore little or no relation to the words. One ‘major incident’ happened 14 years ago and was now back in the news merely as part of a routine survey of unsolved crimes.

One candidate failed partly because a submission carried a joint byline and the markers were unable to identify who had written what.

The examiners have repeatedly made it clear that they want to mark what candidates have written, not subbed versions, but there were still instances of missing original copy without an acceptable reason.

Other reasons why candidates were penalised included missing information on the introductory and key task cover pages, missing press releases to accompany the handout key task section, and poor use of English. Far too much original copy demonstrated a slap-dash approach to spelling, punctuation and grammar, and it seems clear that many trainees feel they can leave it up to the subs to sort these out.

Some candidates are still failing to present their work in the correct order and sacrificing valuable marks as a result.

These problems should be spotted at the regular in-house assessment meetings and corrected before the Logbook is submitted for the NCE. Candidates and trainers are strongly urged to read the current guidelines on Logbook content, presentation and submission. Copies of these are sent to all trainees and can be seen on the NCTJ website.

During the past six months the NCTJ has conducted a widespread consultation exercise on the Logbook, and as a result of comments from editors, trainers and trainees a revised version will be issued to new trainees from the start of 2006. Changes include the replacement of the reviews and sport key tasks by new ones covering human interest stories and community affairs, the addition of a ‘trainee’s choice’ section, more guidance on appropriate submissions, and simplified assessment pages. Full details will be given to candidates and trainees when new Logbooks are issued, and will be available on the NCTJ website.

Logbooks are marked by panels of working journalists who volunteer their time to ensure that assessment is fair, comprehensive and consistent. The examiners extend their sincere thanks to all who gave their assistance.

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