Colin
Did you get applicants with any RM experience/skills? I think it would be interesting to know what qualities were missing that you were looking for. I wonder if the 12 month contract was a disincentive. Or location? No disrespect to Coventry but maybe all the newly hatched records managers gravitate to London where there is more work (Very few tfpl/Sue Hill/instant library RM jobs north of Herts.)
I've seen only an tiny handful of RM vacancies in the north east over the last few years notwithstanding FOI)
Jim
Jim McClen
Records Manager
North Tyneside PCT
Equinox House
Silver Fox Way
Cobalt Business Park
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE27 0QJ
Direct Tel: (0191) 291-9349
Main Tel: (0191) 291-9292
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
www.northtynesidepct.nhs.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Society North of England Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Colin Tyc
Sent: 22 June 2005 15:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [RMS-NORTH] Are Skills Shortages Real?
Hi
Can anyone tell me where all the good record managers have gone or suggest
the best recruitment sources for competent records analysts?
We are used to reading reports of skills shortages in the IT press, but our
recent experience suggests this may be stopping rec mgt projects too.
We have recently been seeking staff for a 12 month records management
project about to kick off. Main work here is carry out Information Survey
based on ISO15489 Part 2, compiling Fileplan Classifications broadly
mirroring LGCS, and preparing series of business based Retention Schedules.
Not really cutting edge, though do need people with some experience of RM
and the way government works.
Main problem thwarting progress has been lack of suitable candidates.
Roles needing filling are Assistant Records Manager (£22-25k) and Records
Analysts (£18-21k). Have had little response sourcing through agencies, now
considering press adverts and/or the RMS monthly envelope.
Have other list members had similar experience - or were you better able to
get the skilled people needed? If so, could you please share your recipe
for success. Any better suggestions or innovative approaches that have
worked for list members gratefully received.
What are we doing wrong or not doing? Are there other recruitment sources
we haven't tried that worked for list members? If so, which?
Would we do better seeking trainee or student placement input for part of
the work? If so, can anyone pass on tips for successfully managing such
placements.
All suggestions welcomed by isolated records manager in great danger of
becoming a 'team of one' with a sizable project load to drive forward.
Reply on list if relevant to general readership or off-list [address block
below]
Colin Tyc
Coventry City Council
Tel: 024 7683 3305
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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