People's network > NOF ICT Training day: 25 Nov 2002

23 delegates from authorities across Scotland attended the discussion day. Rhona Arthur introduced the day by reviewing the progress of ICT training, the draw down of money and the NOF ICT Training Providers Day held earlier this year.

The research carried out for NOF by Chris Dodd's was then discussed. 7 Scottish authorities were among the 61 across the United Kingdom who took part in this project. Delegates discussed the findings and raised some concerns.

• Staff in some authorities are pursuing financial reward for completing their training in terms of a one off payment and regradings.
• Public expectations can be high, with an expectation that staff will be able to provide training for members of the public. This needs to be dealt with by providing guidance to staff and customer care training. Staff need to know when guidance becomes training and when to refer customers to other sources of help. In other authorities staff have the confidence and skills to train the public without any difficulties.
• Matching training to the rollout of the infrastructure has proved difficult. Training relief staff has been problematic.
• ECDL does not include how to use equipment; for example, scanners and this will have to be addressed by in house training.
• Help sheets are being produced by some authorities and a tool kit will be available on Slainte by the end of January.
• A group will be set up to look at e-content including ebooks, on-line learning and electronic information resources.

Presentation: Chris Dodd's NOF research (requires a plug-in viewer for MS PowerPoint Show pps files)

Joyce Brown and Linda Clark Presentation on Highland Council ICT Training

Joyce Brown described how Training and Development worked closely with Libraries to produce a course for the IT Educator role. The course developed coaching and customer care skills and was based in the work place and in the training centre. Training for Net Navigator and Information Consultant was delivered with Norman Newton. Courses have taken place in Inverness which has allowed staff to come together to share experiences with their colleagues.

Presentation: Highland Council ICT training (requires a plug-in viewer for MS PowerPoint Show pps files)

Yvonne Melville Fife Council's Advanced Training

Yvonne outlined the development of the initial training programme which has ensured that the training addresses relevant issues. As the People's Network has rolled out the training has become more relevant and discussions have increased. All 275 staff are being trained which has caused logistical problems, for example, booking a training room, freeing up staff etc. Relief, mobile and Saturday staff will be trained at a course held on a Saturday. Educator, Net Navigator and Information Consultant training is being held for Community Librarians and Library Supervisors. Staff have found these to be very intensive days. A newsletter is sent out regularly to staff which keeps them informed about infrastructure rollout and training. The material has worked well and other authorities may want to consider asking Scotia to use the Fife model of training.

Presentation: Overview of ICTL training (requires a plug-in viewer for MS PowerPoint Show pps files)

SLIC's Supplementary and Advanced Training Guidance

SLIC has been developing a checklist for supplementary and advanced training which authorities can use either to develop their own material or as a checklist for training provided by an external organisation. This was circulated for comment and will be emailed to all Heads of Service and all delegates. Comments should be sent to Rhona Arthur by Friday 17th January and a final version will be available by the end of January.

Presentation: SLIC's Supplementary and Advanced Training Guidance (requires a plug-in viewer for MS PowerPoint Show pps files)

Evaluating the Training Programme

Rhona Arthur outlined the evaluation of NOF ICT Training in Scotland which SLIC will carry out. 6 authorities will be involved in this process and there will be a mix of urban, rural, large and small authorities. The areas examined will include: - · Management of the training programme · Expected outcomes and the quality of the learning experience · Advanced outcomes and the quality of the learning experience · Impact on service delivery

Presentation: NOF ICT Training in Scotland (requires a plug-in viewer for MS PowerPoint Show pps files)

The evaluation will take place during March-June 2003 and is likely to involve a 2-3 day visit to each authority. A final report and case studies will be available on Slainte.

This report is available for downloading (PDF format).

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