Workforce Development in public libraries

Various pilot projects have been taking place in the regions to help develop a more diverse workforce and identify and develop new skills. These include traineeships, apprenticeships and a Training Needs Analysis toolkit. There is also research into the role and development of volunteers; discussion with Lifelong Learning UK to focus on priorities and the sponsorship of a Libraries Fellow on the Clore Leadership Programme 2005/2006.

Actions to help develop a more diverse workforce:

• Extending Positive Action Traineeships to public libraries (regional pilots)
• Widening diversity initiatives to include public library apprenticeships (regional pilots)
• Identifying barriers to embarking on library career path for young BME people

Actions to identify and develop new skills:

• Identifying and testing the new skills sets for delivering the Framework for the Future vision (MLA & SWMLAC joint project)
• Piloting the Training Needs Analysis Toolkit (MLA / MLA SW with Bristol Libraries)
• Producing pilot workforce development plan (MLA / MLA SW with Bristol Libraries)

Other:

• Research project to map and evaluate the role and development of volunteers
• Ongoing discussions with Lifelong Learning UK to identify priorities
• Sponsoring a Libraries Fellow on Clore Leadership Programme 2005/06 and 2006/07