UCLAN and BBC to host multi-platform training for freelancers

A training course in multi-platform journailsm for freelancers has been launched by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) and the BBC.

Three six-week courses, which start from February, will offer journalists from print and broadcast backgrounds the opportunity to learn and practice content production for other outlets, particularly for online.

The programme will include a two to three week work placement in a converged newsroom, Paul Egglestone, course leader of the MA in International Documentary and Television Production degree at UCLAN, told Journalism.co.uk at the Society of Editors (SoE) conference earlier this week.

Attendees will receive mentoring from UCLAN and BBC staff and will be taught how to develop stories for different platforms.

Funds have been raised to offer paid-for places on the courses with £2,500 paid to attendees for the duration of the work placements.

The initiative is particularly aimed at working journalists looking to 'upskill', who won't previously have benefited from such training, said Eggelstone.

"This is a professional development opportunity for journalists, who want to get to grips with what is multi-platform journalism," he said.

Freelancers who also work for the BBC will not be excluded, though the scheme is aimed primarily at non-BBC journalists, he added.

The training is part of a scheme led by screen agency Northwest Vision and Media and will take place in UCLAN's Sandbox, which is part of the university's recently opened Media Factory.

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