Professional Pathways Technical Report released

Canberra, 16 March: Today the Professional Pathways Technical Report was launched marking the conclusion of the foundational discovery phase of the Professional Pathways Initiative.

The Technical Report, prepared by Dr Gillian Hallam, is a key foundational text for the library and information profession in Australia. Referencing close to 1,000 sources and incorporating extensive stakeholder feedback, the report examines the diverse and often complex issues relating to the education and qualification pathways into the library and information profession.

 

ALIA President and Chair of the Professional Pathways Board Vicki Edmunds said “Professional Pathways is a significant investment by ALIA in the people who create, maintain and grow our library and information services in Australia. A sound and reliable evidence base is essential for the project going forward and I am proud to present this comprehensive report to our Members.”

 

Following the discussion of the Technical Report by the ALIA Professional Pathways Board in February, four recommendations were made to guide the next stages of the Professional Pathways Initiative:

1: Develop a framework of knowledge, skills and ethical behaviour

2: Work with educators to strengthen accredited courses

3: Develop new professional pathways

4: Progress employer engagement strategy

 

“The next phase of the project is about development and enhancement, as we put the recommendations into action. Work on a whole-of-career framework to support current and new entrants into library and information services is underway with a draft framework due to be released in May for consultation” said Trish Hepworth, ALIA Director of Policy and Research.

 

“We’ve been blown away by the level of interest and engagement in the project, just over the last month almost 70 people have enthusiastically joined focus groups to guide the development of the framework” she said, “and we are looking forward to the next rounds of consultation in May before we move to our implementation phase in 2023.”

 

Read the Report

The Professional Pathways Technical Report (full report)

The Professional Pathways Technical Report (overview)

 

Professional Pathways is a significant investment by ALIA to in supporting a diverse library and information workforce with the skills, knowledge and ethics required to deliver library and information services that anticipate and meet the needs of the community. The project is being delivered in four stages with the discovery phase now completed and work on the development phase underway.

 

If you are interested in being involved or want to discuss any aspect of the initiative, please get in touch directly with our Director of Policy and Education, [email protected].