Updates on Apprenticeships in Scotland

In recent years, a variety of Apprenticeship standards linked to libraries and information have been set up in England by our affiliate body CILIP. Members are in touch regularly to ask what has been done in Scotland and this page aims to offer more information.

In Scotland, the system is different, and is administered by Skills Development Scotland (SDS). Therefore the standard in England cannot be automatically replicated and a separate application process is required.

In order to set up a standard in Scotland, we would need to evidence a significant level of interest and currently the level of support is not at a level where SDS would consider it viable to set up a new library specific apprenticeship.

As CILIP Scotland are only a small team and as the development of a standard would require significant input from us, demand from the sector, and support from Skills Development Scotland we are currently unable to progress this any further in the immediate term.

However, several libraries in Scotland already offer apprenticeships via existing standards such as Customer Service or Business Development and we would encourage organisations to look into this as a way of recruiting new staff at Apprentice level. You may also consider the Creative and Cultural Apprenticeship depending on what type of organisation you are. 

In the meantime, we would also highlight the world-leading opportunities for continuing professional development that are offered by CILIP Professional Registration, with Certification in particular providing key recognition of the knowledge and skills you have developed if you are near the start of your library career. Please click here to read CILIPS Membership Officer Kirsten’s blog on the transformational impact that Certification had on her own professional journey.

If you have any further questions, please contact us at admin@cilips.org.uk.