The panel, being one of eleven panels set up by the National Training Authority, is tasked with the responsibility to define new sets of skills standards for The Gambia based on the real requirements of the job with support from relevant stakeholders and the NTA specialists.

The inaugural meeting, which brought together members of the panel, will seek to further clarify the specific roles of the panel, and will include briefings on the standards, development processes and working instruments. It will also critique the standard draft.

The two institutions, Insight Training Centre and Media Agenda have decided to collaborate in running a Journalism Training Programme here in The Gambia. Among the courses available in the proposed syllabus are Newspaper and Magazine Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, Advertising, Public Relations and PhotoJournalism.

The panel members are: Mr. Alieu Sagnia, Information services, Mr. Swaebou Conateh, News and Report Magazine, Mr. Pap Saine, The Point Newspaper, Mr. Sam Sarr, Foroyaa Newspaper, Mr. Dida Halake, The Daily Observer and Mr. Peter Gomez of West Coast Radio.

Also part of the panel are: Ms Ndey Tapha Sosseh of GPU, Mr. Ismaila Ceesay of Insight Training, Mr. Madi Ceesay of Media Agenda, and Mr. Almamy Kinteh, Mr. Amadou Touray and Mr. Lamin Manneh all of the NTA.