UK ILS STUDENTS - RESEARCH IDENTIFIES THE ATTRIBUTES EMPLOYERS SEEK IN NEW GRADUATES

Patricia Layzell Ward, Editor, Library Link

The Library Association�s Library and Information Appointments for June 4 1999 provides an insight into the extent to which current students in UK ILS Departments are meeting employers� requirements in terms of personality and competencies. Dr Anne Goulding, Beth Bronham and Dr Duncan Cramer of Loughborough University, and Dr Stuart Hannabuss at The Robert Gordon University report a study for the British Library Research and Innovation Centre.

Their findings indicate that there was no significant difference in the qualities sought by different sectors in the information profession. Employers were seeking: ability to accept pressure; flexibility to respond to change; ability to deal with a range of users; written communication skills; inquisitiveness - a love of learning; reflectiveness; dedication; detective-like qualities; leadership qualities, and being innovative. The students were asked to select the ten personal qualities that best described them. They responded: reliability - consistent/dependent; friendliness; hard working; open minded; sense of humour; ability to work with and for a range of colleagues; inquisitiveness; flexibility; ability to deal with a range of users; thoroughness. Only three of the essential qualities named by the employers were found in the students� top ten.

The employers were asked to identify the areas in which recent graduate entrants to their organisation were deficient. These were: commitment to organisational goals; friendliness; ability to accept pressure; reliability; energy; flexibility; logic; written communication skills; confidence about ability; ability to work with and for a range of colleagues - again with a high level of agreement between sectors. The students indicated the qualities that they felt that they lacked: confidence about their ability; meticulousness; being innovative; analytical; ability to accept pressure; leadership qualities; written communication skills; organisation; reflectiveness and a willingness to do all kinds of work.

This is only an extract of points made by the researchers, but they indicate that the profession should be concerned. In an occupation that is expanding and offers good career opportunities, there is a need to attract the best entrants, and perhaps more importantly, develop the attributes needed for the job. The ILS schools will need to examine their courses for evidence that they can produce the competencies required by the employers; and perhaps a greater partnership is needed between practice and the schools to provide better fieldwork programmes and in-house training and development.

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