If I can throw in my two penn'orth...
The problem seems to be lack of suitable opportunities for work experience rather than the requirement to have it at all. I think it's a good idea to ensure that those undertaking the professional qualification have at least some practical idea of what the job entails. This is one of the most important requirements and not simply a hoop to jump through. I'm not sure what the numbers may be for those who drop out at the work experience stage but surely it's better to make that decision before becoming professionally qualified than realising later that working in archives is not for you?
That said, how are people to obtain it? Back in the day a reasonable number of posts were advertised as being suitable for those wanting to gain work experience and Surrey Record Office had a policy of taking two archives hopefuls every year. Now, with increasing pressure on budgets, few in the public or private sectors would want to risk a job that might fall vacant annually and be seen as a handy saving to make. Others have also pointed out the requirements to recruit from an internal pool of applicants before advertising to the wider world and the difficulty of moving to an area for a low paid and short term opportunity.
I wonder if a joint approach between repositories and courses, maybe co-ordinated by ARA would help. Perhaps agreeing a modular approach to work experiencewith the courses that would ensure that certain elements were covered, perhaps even in creative ways: working in a shop or café certainly counts as experience of working with the public and being able to explain things like policies and procedures to them in my book. Then maybe a combination of paid and voluntary work would get most people through? If it is becoming increasingly rare and for only a lucky few to obtain paid work experience then this needs addressing.
I think there may be some residual feeling amongst some of the professionally qualified that if people really wanted to obtain experience they would be prepared to do anything, including unpaid work to get on a course. For many this simply isn't possible and will prevent us from becoming more diverse which is ultimately bad for the profession.
Jenny Moran
Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland
(but posting in a private capacity)
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Leicestershire County Council - Council of the Year 2009
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