Dear all,

I just wanted to thank everybody who contributed to this debate so far. Given the large number of contributions both to the list and the rather overwhelming number of personal emails I received, it is surprising that this issue has not been raised before. I’m particularly grateful to Henry Sullivan for providing the statistics to back up my claims which, until now, were based on an educated assumption rather than any hard evidence!

The purpose of my original email was not to argue that newly-qualified archivists are somehow unique in facing employment difficulties in the current climate. Regardless of the state of other professions, which presumably have their own bodies to address employment issues, our concern is the profession of recordkeeping. With this in mind, my email was simply to raise awareness of how the employment situation is affecting newly-qualified archivists on an individual (and human) level, and to warn against the current policy of universities expanding the intake on their archive courses at a time when employment positions are rapidly receding. It is true that it would be difficult to align course places based on temporary fluctuations in the job market. As I’m sure everyone is fully aware, though, the current low number of jobs will be anything but a ‘temporary fluctuation’.

The situation is not one simply affecting newly-qualified archivists. From the personal emails I have received in particular, coupled with Henry’s statistics, it appears obvious that there are barriers at all levels to a successful career within the profession. These include difficulties obtaining pre-course employment or even voluntary work for those who want to become archivists; obtaining employment once qualified, and obtaining permanent or long-term contracts. 

Furthermore, not everybody is in a position to simply move on a whim for a six-month contract because they may have other commitments. Having a child of school age, a mortgage, a spouse or partner with a far more stable job, and the disadvantage of not living in London, I include myself in this category. It would certainly be difficult to justify uprooting my family for anything other than a permanent position which, of course, is difficult to get because I am unable to obtain enough post-qualification experience. 

These are not barriers unique to the current climate but they are certainly being exacerbated by it. ARA, FARMER, and other associated bodies should therefore be realistic when providing information about careers in archives, not only about the prospects of employment in the sector, but also on the barriers likely to be faced by prospective archivists at all stages of their career. 

It’s pleasing to hear that Henry is providing a report on this issue for the ARA which I’m sure will be a major step forward in this sense.

Best wishes,

John Smith

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