Despite rumors that The Guardian could cut jobs in favor for staff with new media skills, this is not true, according to the paper's managing editor, Chris Elliot. In fact, they will be offering a voluntary multimedia training program to all 800 staff members.

Though the Guardian is seeking journalists with online skills in order to move into a more hi-tech, integrated newsroom, they will not be "dumping" long-serving journalists who are "willing to make the transition to online."

"Experienced print journalists who want to stay with us and go the journey, we will give them every assistance to move into the new media skills," said Elliot.

Instead, the voluntary redundancy scheme involves those who will not make the move to The Guardian's new offices in London's Kings Cross this November. 19 reporters have been reported to leave under the scheme, which will close in January 2009.

The "digital awareness program" is a one-day course that teaches basic skills and knowledge with video and audio equipment and discusses the principles of web publishing.

Source: Press Gazette, Brand Republic