The South China Morning Post implemented its integrated journalism training and staff development programme in 1993.
Our needs analysis was based on the changing requirements of the Hong Kong environment as it moves towards 1997.
Since then we have been successful in developing a team of 'home-grown' talent which is committed to journalism in Hong Kong, and to the South China Morning Post, through a training and development programme unique to the territory.
The editorial department training staff include, training manager (liaises with management, implements programme, conducts workshops, co-ordinates use of internal and external expertise); systems development and training editor for technical training; staff with split duties (includes sub-editor/journalism lecturer now on exchange providing sub-editing training at the China Daily, and sub-editor/trainer training journalists in Vietnam.
In addition there are contract professional teachers for speed writing, English, Cantonese and Putonghua.
The objectives of the programme are - to develop a 'home-grown' team of journalists committed to Hong Kong; build a competent team able to cover the increasing number of day-to-day assignments in Cantonese and Putonghua, and satisfy demand for more China coverage.