be covered. For each assignment they gave us some information about the topic we were working on and then we were tasked to investigate it further at our workplace. Thelearningexperiencewasverydiffer- ent compared to being at school; I felt we were a lot more independent and I enjoyed conducting my own research. I was able to gain more knowledge by undertaking the differentlibrarydutiesandbeinginvolved withthedifferentprojects,whichaided each of my assignments.
Ambreen:AtfirstIfounditreallyscary, but there was always someone to guide me when trying new things. Being able to learn on the job meant it was a lot easier to master new skills and knowledge. It also sometimes resulted in picking up skills that you wouldn’t unless you were actively involved and helped to pinpoint areas for improvement.
What has been the most surprising part of your apprenticeship? Ambreen: The most surprising part has to be the amount and variety of opportuni- ties. This is in part due to Covid but going forward I know this will be a big consider- ation for future apprentices. I would never have imagined I would be writing for CILIP or being a part of Birkby Libraries Grand opening.
Hannah: I think the most surprising part of my apprenticeship has been the vast variety of work I’ve been able to get involved with. I never knew libraries were sodiverseorofferedsomanyservicesto the public. It has been great to get involved withallthesedifferentprojects.
Can you tell us about where you are now, and how you feel the appren- ticeship helped you achieve that? Ambreen: Since starting the apprentice- ship I have gone on to become a Customer ServiceOfficerandnowafulltimeLibrarian. This apprenticeship has allowed me to attain the necessary skill-set to become a librarian without an academic degree. It also provided me with the necessary experience working alongside the librarians to show- caseIhadtheabilitytofittherole.
Hannah: This apprenticeship has helped me to develop my skills and experience working in the library, which has enabled me to secure a permanent role as a CSO (CustomerServiceOfficer)forKirklees Libraries. I feel I have gained so much experience completing this apprentice- ship. I have never worked on a frontline role before, and I feel that by working with members of the public it has really helped toimprovemyconfidence.
What are your next steps in the world of libraries and hopes for your professional future? Hannah: I have really loved working in a community setting. Having a positive impact on my local community has felt
34 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL Ambreen with display.
really rewarding. Going forward, I would like to pursue my career in a community role, possibly as a librarian as they are more community based and work with children which I enjoy or working in a similar com- munity setting.
Ambreen:Inmyfirstyearoftheappren- ticeship I had a long term goal of becoming a librarian (give or take a decade!). I never thought it possible to have reached that goalbeforeIevenfinishtheapprenticeship. So I’m currently very happy with where I am and have no immediate plans to pursue
anything else. I am living the professional aspirations dream!
THERE are a number of routes into a career into the library and information professions, and CILIP was keen to develop an apprenticeship route to open new opportunities. It was instrumental in creating a Level 3 Library, Information and Archives Services Assistant Appren- ticeship, and is committed to developing a Level 7 Apprenticeship.
As part of its work to deliver apprentice routes, CILIP stated: “CILIP believes in quality diverse routes into the profes- sion to attract and retain the diverse talentneededforafuture-fitworkforce. Apprenticeshipsoffertheblendofformal learning and on the job experience, with the opportunity for the apprentice to earn as they qualify.
“Since 2017, England has been improv- ing the delivery of apprenticeships. CILIP was instrumental in the development of the English Level 3 Library, Information and Archives Services Assistant Appren- ticeship. The Standard was approved for use in December 2018. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own independent apprenticeship arrangements.”
Hannah and Luc representing Kirklees at the Young Local Authority of the Year Award 2022.
Find out more about apprentice routes where you live at
www.instituteforapprentice-
ships.org;
www.apprenticeships.scot; https://gov. wales/apprenticeships; and
www.nidirect.gov.uk/ campaigns/apprenticeships. IP
July-August 2022
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