I am really happy to see that the ARA are taking this to the Board. I would add that it isn't just about volunteers but
usually unpaid.
I have also decided to write to those institutions offering unpaid internships of the kind advertised that has triggered this discussion again. In my letter to the RCPCH, I will be stating that if an organisation feels it can use the term 'pre-course experience' (which, it seems to me has now been taken to mean that they are giving a person invaluable experience that will get them onto the course and therefore means they do not have to pay them - let's bear in mind that not
can get onto the course!) they should have an obligation towards aiding the intern with the course, that is actually providing them with particular experience the course requires and aiding them with the course fees (either fully or in part - still cheaper than paying someone a wage!). Perhaps the courses in the UK that state that a year (or whatever amount of time) pre-course experience is required need to get involved in this, as organisations seems to be exploiting this demand. I feel that with course fees now being so very high, there is moral obligation for ARM departments across the country to get involved in this.
Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 14:27:56 +0100
From:
[log in to unmask]Subject: Interns Debate - ARA Statement
To:
[log in to unmask]
Dear
Colleagues
The
debate on internship and volunteering stimulated by the Royal College of
Paediatrics and Child Health advert sent out on 14 August has raised many
issues on the balance of benefits to employers and potential employees.
ARA
issued its policy on volunteering in 2011 on the value of volunteering and
limitations on what volunteers in archives should be expected to do. The
statement is available at
http://www.archives.org.uk/campaigns/volunteering.html
It is
now a timely moment for these issues to be brought to the ARA Board’s
attention. We will post up the outcome of discussion by Board members through
the usual ARA channels and to Archives NRA.
Regards
Martin
Martin
Taylor
Chair,
ARA (UK & Ireland)
c/o Hull History Centre
Worship
Street
Hull
HU2
8BG
(01482)
317501
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