We had a discussion on this a couple of years ago (look in the archives for
further info) and it seemed that the people who got financial help mainly worked
in special libraries (perhaps more autonomy over budgets, and less "danger" in
setting a precedent. IIRC it was justified by arguments such as "they pay the
professional subs for my colleagues [surveyors] so they pay mine too" etc. I'm
on the Training Working Party here (Exeter Uni), and a couple of years ago we
drew up a policy that we'd help with LA subs for newly qualified, unchartered
staff. If we had been able to offer them a Route A programme (difficult as we
don't have many staff who've been chartered long enough to supervise) we'd help
with subs for 1 year, and if they followed Route B we'd help for 2 years. Also
we'd help towards the submission fee for the PDR. We also give a couple of days
study leave for writing up. So bascially, we help with LA subs for the period
you HAVE to be a member in order to be eligible for chartering "training". After
that it's up to you. So having been qualified several years (eek!) without yet
having Chartered, I pay my own subs. It's nice to know that a policy I helped
write may help future new employees though :-)
I think if you want to argue it, you've got to make the case that it will help
you to help your employer (i.e. THEY will get something out of you being a
member of the LA, not just you). If they've got Investors in People then you
can use this as an argument too ;-)
Lesha
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Lesha Fossey
Assistant Librarian, Circulation Services
University of Exeter
Stocker Road TEL: 01392 263867
Exeter FAX: 01392 263871
EX4 4PT E-MAIL: [log in to unmask]
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