http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Rept0n1x Skelmersdale Library, Lancashire. Photo © Rept0n1x CC BY-SA 3.0
I also love working with children and greatly enjoy both the weekly Baby Bounce and Rhyme and Toddler Rhyme Time sessions. Seeing children enjoying themselves and coming out of their shells especially after the isolation after the pandemic is so wonderful to see. I had the great opportunity recently to deliver a Baby Bounce session at a local nursery for World Kindness Day. The children ab- solutely loved it. At the library, I also get to use my creative side creating craft activities for the children’s Saturday Club, I think I have as much fun as the children do!
More about library apprenticeships
APPRENTICESHIPS are an important route into employment for many people. They provide access to training and work at the same time – leading to a formal qualification. Crucially, apprentices are paid for their time, helping to open up opportunities to more people. CILIP recognised the value of appren- ticeships as a way of helping more people into the profession, and has worked hard to develop standards and assess- ments that meet the need of employers and apprentices. CILIP played a key role in creating the Level 3 – Library, Information and Archive Services Assis- tant apprenticeship, which was officially recognised in December 2018, enabling employers to recruit a new stream of apprentices looking to gain library and archive-specific skills and knowledge. Increasing numbers of public library services are now opening up apprentice opportunities and many of the first wave of apprentices had gone on to secure jobs within library services. Over the last 18 months, Information Profes- sional has been following Kirklees’
20 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
Library Service’s apprentices Ambreen Aziz and Hannah Armitage, through their apprenticeships. Both have now passed their end-point assessment, and both have gone on to secure jobs with Kirklees Council.
Hannah said: “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 (Customer Service Officer) for Kirklees Libraries. I feel to have gained so much experience complet- ing this apprenticeship. I have never worked on a frontline role before, and I feel that by working with members of the public it has really helped to improve my confidence.”
Ambreen agrees that the apprentice- ship has helped her achieve profes- sional goals, saying: “Since starting the apprenticeship I have gone on to become a Customer Service Officer and now a full time Librarian. This apprenticeship has allowed me to attain the necessary skillset to become a librarian without an academic degree. It also provided me
with the necessary experience working alongside the librarians to showcase I had the ability to fit the role.” CILIP is also working on a new, higher level apprenticeship, and there are a number of other related apprenticeships already available.
l Level 4 – Information Manager
l Level 7 – Health and Care Intelligence Specialist
l Level 7 – Archives and Record Management
Apprenticeships are available in Eng- land, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, with each country having its own online portal with information on what opportunities are available, and how to apply.
England
www.instituteforapprenticeships.org
Northern Ireland
www.nidirect.gov.uk/apprenticeships Scotland
www.apprenticeships.scot Wales
https://gov.wales/apprenticeships
September 2022
What would you say to anyone else considering a library apprentice- ship?
I would suggest to anyone considering a library apprenticeship that they should go for it as it is such a rewarding role. It’s also a great opportunity to get a qualifi- cation while gaining valuable experience. I would say the apprenticeship gives a much greater depth to my understanding of my work so is an equally good option for those starting out working in librar- ies but also for those already working in libraries who want to improve their knowledge or boost their CV.
What do you hope to have achieved at the end of your apprenticeship?
My aim is to complete my apprentice- ship and hopefully to get a permanent position working in Lancashire Librar- ies. Working on the apprenticeship has really increased my confidence and sparked a desire to learn. In the future, I would like to complete an English Lit- erature degree but for now, I will just focus on completing the apprentice- ship! One thing I do know is that I am greatly looking forward to my future career working in libraries. IP
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