One of the benefits (problems?) of being an 'ole geezer' is seeing the
same issues coming around again and again - and this one has been around
before.

Sarah Westwood has expressed my views exactly.  While I'm not convinced
that the CRM is universally applicable, the great strength of the ICRM
approach is that it is independent of the representative association
with its own Board of Regents to establish and set the standards on
which certification is based. I don't think the RMS is in a position to
sponsor such a development or, indeed, to accredit the existing and
planned university courses. The simple truth is that if you want to call
yourself a records manager and enjoy the kudos(?)which go with that, you
need to invest in it and do what Paula Smith is doing. If you have other
professional, work and life skills which are relevant they will help you
through that course or may even be accepted for credits by the course
provider.  I've worked with the law as it applies to record keeping all
my working life but if I wanted to become a lawyer I would expect to
re-train, and perhaps to be given some credit for previous educational
achievements.

One general point, without getting into the debate about the difference
between professionalism and technical ability, the concept of
accreditation is incompatible with inclusiveness. Professions are
exclusive. Accreditation has to be based on absolute standards otherwise
its meaningless. You can't be a little bit accredited.  Absolute
standards start with professional education and skills training and an
agreed set of competencies, combined with experience, against which you
can then measure the value of extensive practical experience and other
achievements as an alternative route to accreditation.  Accountants and
book-keepers are not equals.


Peter Emmerson
Director
Emmerson Consulting Limited
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-----Original Message-----
From: The UK Records Management mailing list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sarah
Westwood
Sent: 12 May 2005 13:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: RMS Accreditation Scheme

I think what this debate proves is that any scheme must have clearly
defined aims and objectives, e.g.

why are we doing it?
who is it for?
how will it be administered?
who is going to run it?
who is going to pay for it?

Certainly making use of the experience of peer organisations who have
run
similar schemes (or decided not to) is an essential first step, in my
view.

Sarah Westwood
Records Management Officer
Girton College
Cambridge CB3 0JG

Tel: 01223 338976
Fax: 01223 338896
Website: www.girton.cam.ac.uk

--On 12 May 2005 12:56 +0100 "SMITH, Paula"
<[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> I for one am definitely in favour of an accreditation scheme on the
> understanding that it is flexible enough to allow for all skill sets
and
> the various roles of staff within the RM world.  One of the
discussions
> which we had at the RMS conference was around the need to be fully
> inclusive of all staff working in RM reflecting the variety of roles
> undertaken by colleagues at all levels and with a variety of needs
from
> any accreditation scheme.
>
> I note Sarah's comments on formal degree qualifications, but what
about
> staff who do not want nor need formal postgraduate qualifications but
have
> significant work experience - why should they be excluded from a
process
> which recognises and validates their skills, which are just as
valuable
> as a postgraduate degree in their area of work.
>
> Equally, colleagues such as myself who are currently in the middle of
> studying for postgraduate qualifications shouldn't be excluded, or
> required to take more exams after completing an intensive course of
> study.  I for one would not want to go down the Institute of Chartered
> Records Manager route where I would have to take exams in exactly the
> same modules for which I have studied for my MSc - and at significant
> cost.
>
> I also want to make sure that we neither forget nor discount the
immensely
> valuable service which the university sector has provided the RM
community
> and the gains we have made as a profession through their input and
> training. Accreditation schemes which operates in other professions
> typically place education at the heart of their schemes, but paying
equal
> attention to demonstratable work experience and skill sets.  Perhaps
now
> is the time through an accreditation scheme for us to draw closer
links
> with our university sector, and for the RMS to validate (as the
Society
> of Archivists does) degree courses offered through educational
> institutions and linking said degree study to a level of
accreditation.
>
> I do feel that the concept of an accreditation scheme is a good one
for a
> number of reasons:
>
> 1)  not only will it allow all staff in the RM sector to demonstrate
their
> skills at a particular level, thereby potentially increasing their
> employment prospects
> 2)  It will also increase the professionalism of Records Management
and
> the RMS - as discussed at conference, solicitors, accountants,
engineers
> etc all have an accreditation system which defines their profession
and
> which employers take as evidence of suitability for positions.
> 3)  It may encourage staff to continue their development in the area
of RM
> and keep up to date with new tools, techniques, and improve their
skill
> sets thereby increasing their effectiveness and the perception of RM
as a
> dynamic profession.
>
>
> I know that there are legitimate concerns around any accreditation
scheme,
> but I am in favour of the concept - though as the saying goes - the
devil
> is in the detail.
> My only thoughts are that the accreditation scheme be robust enough to
> deal with public and private sector needs, and the needs of all
members at
> whatever level of RM they are involved in.  This is why members
comments
> are so important so that the RMS can deliver (if that is the wish of
the
> membership) an accreditation scheme which truly reflects our needs as
a
> profession.
>
>
> Paula J Smith
> Records Manager
> Cheshire County Council
>
>
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Sarah Westwood
Records Management Officer
Girton College
Cambridge CB3 0JG

Tel: 01223 338976
Fax: 01223 338896
Website: www.girton.cam.ac.uk