Many museum-l subscribers have asked what is the museum training
Institute and what is its remit.  What follows is a brief description.


WHAT IS THE MUSEUM TRAINING INSTITUTE?

The Museum Training Institute (MTI) is both the Industry Lead Body,
Industry Training Organisation, and the major awarding body for the
museums, galleries and heritage community.

As the recognised Industry Lead Body, MTI is charged with defining and
up-dating national occupational standards for the sector and promoting
and implementing the National Vocational Qualifications and Scottish
Vocational Qualifications which cover these standards.

The primary role as Industry Training Organisation is to monitor the
skill requirements and development needs of the sector, and encourage
museum, gallery and heritage employers to increase their training
efforts.  With funding from the Department for Education and
Employment, MTI supports projects which help foster employer
involvement and investment in training, as well as undertaking a
variety of training, research and publishing initiatives itself.

As the major awarding body for the new qualifications at levels 2-5,
MTI has developed guidance and support materials to help the
implementation of NVQs and SVQs.


WHAT DOES MTI DO?

In order to fulfil these roles, MTI provides the following services
and products:-

Providing a strategic framework for training and development for the
sector.

As the main advocate for museum, gallery and heritage training.  MTI
promotes the interests and achievements of the sector with the
Department for Education and Employment and the Department of National
Heritage, which provide financial support.  By building links with the
national network of Training and Enterprise Councils, and Local
Enterprise Companies in Scotland, MTI helps to release government
funds for museum and heritage training at a local level.  It works
closely with professional bodies, such as the Museums Association, to
make professional qualifications accessible and to support the case
for continuing professional development for all people working in the
sector.  A national strategy for training and education in museums,
galleries and heritage organisation is also being developed which will
provide a framework for training investment and professional
development over the next six years.


Developing and reviewing occupational standards

Since its inception in 1989, the Institute's main objective has been
to establish standards of occupational competence for the sector.
Involving a wide range of professionals in an extensive programme of
development and consultation workshops, a detailed analysis of the
main functions performed in museums, galleries and heritage
organisations was produced.  These standards define the content of the
NVQs and SVQs introduced.  They will be updated as the new
qualifications are implemented and feedback is received from the
profession.


Promoting and implementing National Vocational Qualifications and
Scottish Vocational Qualifications

NVQs and SVQs relevant to a wide range of people working in the sector
are now approved.  Workshops, seminars and conferences have been
arranged to promote these qualifications and to offer advice and
information on what is available.  Support can be provided to
organisations wishing to establish themselves a assessment centres for
the new qualifications.  Training  has been designed for assessors and
internal verifiers in the sector and can be delivered by MTI staff.


Providing a National Assessment Service

The National Assessment Service was established in June 1995 to
provide assessment opportunities for candidates wishing to register
for museum, gallery and heritage NVQs and SVQs at levels 3-5.  A
network of internal verifiers and assessors has been trained by the
MTI and operates throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland to provide local assessment and support for NVQ and SVQ
candidates.  The team of internal verifiers and assessors is
co-ordinated from MTI's offices in Bradford.


Providing information on training and development

As a source of information on training opportunities and career
development , MTI provides advice to those new to the sector as well
as people with established careers who want to move on or up.  A
series of information sheets covering careers, training and
qualifications is available, as well as guidance on individual
problems and more general training and development initiatives such as
Investors in People.

News and views on museums, galleries and heritage training provided in
More than Courses, a quarterly publication on training and careers,
keeps people up-to-date with what is happening nationally, regionally
and on a local level.  The publication aims to promote the potential
benefits and impact of training to its readers and to stimulate best
practice.

Articles include published papers and abstracts from seminars and
conferences of relevance to training and development in a museum,
gallery and heritage context.


Validating education and training courses

Validation acts as a guide to the range and quality of museum,
gallery, heritage and conservation courses for both students and
employers.  Providers of education and training courses relevant to
museums can apply for validation of their programmes.  The process is
rigorous and is carefully monitored by a panel of people representing
the sector and the higher education field.


Providing access to financial assistance

As an Industry Training Organisation MTI is uniquely placed to
co-ordinate applications to the European Social Fund .  In 1994 it
succeeded in raising #300,000 for a range of projects.  The
co-ordinator of the fund is able to advise on suitable models which
might be successfully emulated elsewhere.


Providing training courses and consultancy services

Identifying training gaps and developing relevant solutions is an
important aspect of MTI's work, either through provision of formal
training or by undertaking consultancy projects.  A national programme
of volunteer management training received sponsorship from the
Carnegie UK Trust, and a package of competence based training
materials for museum warding and attending is being developed.  A
`Training the Trainer' programme has equipped non-training specialists
with the necessary specialists with the necessary skills to deliver
the effective courses and so improve the quality of training provision
across the sector.


HOW TO FIND OUT MORE

For more information
about MTI and its
services contact -



The Marketing Manager
Museum Training Institute
1st Floor, Glyde House,
Glydegate
Bradford, BD5 0UP

e-mail: [log in to unmask]

Tel:  01274 391056, 391087, 391092, 391773
fax:  01274 394890