Education and training for information work in the voluntary sector

Reports the findings of a questionnaire and interview survey to investigate the role of information specialists in the voluntary sector, and to identify models for the delivery of education and training of these specialists. The fieldwork for the project used quantitative and qualitative approaches, and focused on paid workers in formalized voluntary organizations. A survey of UK information workers in voluntary sector organizations was complemented by long interviews with selected practitioners in the sector and also with providers of education and training, largely based in the Yorkshire and Humberside region. Results suggest that a wide range of postholders carry out information work in the sector, confirmed the view that the sector was not significantly professionalized and identified a significant information skills deficit in the sector. Major barriers to the take up of education and training were seen as relating to time and money constraints. An additional case study of Age Concern England's information services showed the different kinds of information roles found in an organization with a differentiated organizational structure. Concludes with recommendations for key stakeholders.