Creating a diverse and creative workforce is a key focus in the Library and Museum sectors. Through programmes like Encompass and the Museums Association’s (MA) Diversity Scheme, barriers to entry are being removed and careers are being made more accessible, creating a workforce that’s as diverse as the public it serves.  

The Museums Association's (MA) Diversity Scheme aims to ensure that in the longer-term there are more black and minority ethnic people qualified as potential applicants for mid- and senior-level positions in museums. The scheme started in 1998, with bursaries funded by the MA, University of Leicester and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.  In 2002 the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) became the scheme’s main funder, through the Renaissance initiative. This funding has enabled the sector to establish a sustainable programme of positive-action bursaries and traineeships.

Each year the positive action bursary covers tuition fees and provides workplace opportunities for six individuals from minority backgrounds. Over 90 people are now within the scheme. Out of the 51 people who have completed their training 42 are employed within the sector. Three are taking their academic museological studies further with PhDs.  Of those who have finished their training, 88% are either employed or studying further in the sector.  

There are three Diversity training models operating in the sector: 

• a one-year bursary with a full-time Masters Degree, plus a five month placement in a museum or gallery; 

• a two-year traineeship with part-time Masters Degree in museum studies, plus a part-time placement in a museum or gallery over the two years;

• an 18-month management-level traineeship with package of training tailored to the individuals’ requirements and a full-time placement in a museum or gallery for the duration of the traineeship. 

The MA has devised a professional development package to help support trainees and bursary students through their training, which includes a range of networking and development opportunities. The MA has also put in place a range of measures to support organisations hosting positive-action trainees. These include training seminars, staff briefing sessions, supervisor training sessions and the development of the Diversify Toolkit.  

Requests for bursaries should be made direct to the MA, with applications forms available online.

Taking a leaf out of the MA’s book, CILIP recently launched Encompass, in conjunction with skills development agency Path National and employers. This too is a positive action training scheme to encourage members of the Black and minority ethnic communities to seek a library and information career.
  

CILIP has indicated that they want to provide 100 trainee schemes over the 10-year life of the programme, with employers converting existing posts or creating new trainee posts. Graduate traineeships will last for three years and will include part-time or distance learning study, leading to an MCLIP qualification.