Libraries, Archives, Records and Information Management Service

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:

• Qualifications,
• Essential Skills
• On/off the job training

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway Libraries, Archives, Records and Information Management Services is 45 credits.

Entry requirements

There are no specific requirements for entry. However, it would be advantageous for entrants to have successfully completed any of the following:

• Foundation learning programmes of study;
• Any relevant previous work or training in areas related to libraries, archives, records and information management services, including volunteer work.

Entrants to the Foundation Apprenticeship will also need to be:

Interested in working in the sector;

• Motivated to succeed in completing the apprenticeship;
• Prepared to be well organised;
• Willing to learn and apply what they have learnt in the workplace;
• Willing and able to communicate effectively with a range of people; and Numerate, literate and able to use ICT.

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 3: Libraries, Archives, Records and Information Management Services

Level 3: Libraries, Archives, Records and Information Management Services Qualifications

Participants must achieve the following combined qualification below.

Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Level 3 Diploma in Libraries, Archives and Information Service - A minimum of 45 credit/415 GLH over a 16 month period.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Other additional requirements

Since the Apprenticeship may involve working with children/young people and/or vulnerable adults, entrants must be willing to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

Progression

Progression routes into the Apprenticeship may include:

• Academic qualifications (e.g. The Welsh Baccalaureate*, GCSEs and A-levels);
• Vocational qualifications (including Foundation Learning and Apprenticeships); and
• Any other relevant previous work, training or volunteering.

Progression routes out of the Apprenticeship

This Apprenticeship provides a sound basis for people to undertake further learning and development of their careers in the Libraries, Archives, Records and Information Management Services sector including progression to higher level courses and qualifications and more senior roles. Examples of such higher level courses and/or Higher Education opportunities may include (but are not limited to) foundation degrees, professional degrees and postgraduate qualifications in the Libraries, Archives, Records and Information Management Services sector, and professional qualifications and awards of other bodies such as the Museums Association, Records Management Society, and the British Computer Society.

‘Certification’, the CILIP paraprofessional award, was introduced in April 2005. It recognises the contribution made in library and information work by paraprofessionals. Successful applicants are admitted to the Register of Certified Affiliates and awarded the post nominal letters, ACLIP. This stands for Certified Affiliate of CILIP.

It is expected that almost all apprentices will advance their career through further development and progression and that opportunities exist across all sectors of industry to achieve this.

Equality and diversity

It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.

The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.

Libraries, Archives, Records and Information Management Services (LARIMS) values and celebrates the contributions made by different individuals, groups and communities and is committed to their support and promotion. Education and training for LARIMS is committed to eliminating discrimination, to advancing equality of opportunity for all involved and to fostering good relations between diverse groups.

There are some key issues around recruitment and retention within the LARIMS sector. More specifically, the sector is under-represented by ethnic minority groups. A key priority will therefore be to use the Apprenticeship Pathway to help promote LARIMS as a career option to diverse groups that may have traditionally not been attracted to this area of work, and to encourage participation from a wider range of learner groups. Flexible entry conditions will also help to attract applicants from under-represented groups, therefore opening up the potential of a more diverse workforce.

The principles of equality and diversity relate to all those systems and procedures, which have the potential to discriminate against apprentices at any point during the programme – from recruitment, selection, and induction, through to successful completion. It is expected that all partners involved in the delivery of the Apprenticeship – providers, assessment centres and employers:

• Must demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity and have an equality and diversity policy or mission statement in place;
• There should be open recruitment process which is available to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, race or ethnic origin, gender or gender identity, religion or belief and sexual orientation or who meet the stated selection criteria; and
• Employers and providers must be able to demonstrate that there are no discriminatory practices in place regarding selection and employment.

Data and other information will be collected to monitor the impact of the Apprenticeships in relation to equality and diversity, and to take action to redress any potential imbalance in the profile of individuals that are being recruited to the Apprenticeship programme, or which can inform the development of case studies to promote good practice.

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory.  But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from: Welsh Government

DfES-ApprenticeshipUnit@gov.wales

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