EUROPEAN INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS Levels of qualification Contents

EUROPEAN INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS Levels of qualification

Contents Ø Qualification: Definition, Elements Ø Levels of Qualification Ø Professional Competencies Ø Conclusion

Qualification is “possession, at a certain level, of the necessary expertise to perform a job”

Three heterogeneous elements of qualification COMPETENCY Three qualities: autonomy, decisiveness, foresight Complexity of different responsibilities

Level of qualification is “person’s place in reference to a scale of qualifications which separates the knowledge and know-how of an occupation into different functions”

Levels of qualification in information services Expert Manager Technician Assistant

Assistant in IS: Ø has some training; Ø recognises the code of practices; Ø works under the responsibility of another; Ø uses basic equipment correctly; Ø recognises a characteristic malfunction.

Technician in IS: Ø receives an education; Ø has a good understanding of the code of practices; Ø performs the diverse tasks in an organised document service; Ø acts autonomously; Ø is responsible for small document service.

Manager in IS: Ø has theoretical education and practical training; Ø has a profound understanding of the code of practices; Ø organises and operates a complex information system; Ø directs working teams; Ø leads projects; Ø implements a new documents service.

Expert in IS: Ø has a particularly profound understanding and sufficiently experience; Ø evaluates every aspect of a situation; Ø invents a methodology; Ø uses different means of scientific communication; Ø takes responsibility in implementation of solutions he/she has recommended.

20 Principal Aptitudes B - Research An enquiring mind Perseverance A – Personal Relations Autonomy Communication skills Availability Empathy Team spirit C - Analysis Rigour Analytical ability Critical ability Ability to synthesise F - Organising Adaptability Foresight Sense of negotiation Teaching skills E - Managing Decisiveness D - Communication Discretion Responsiveness Initiative Sense of organisation

Professionals’ Aptitudes Assistant in IS 1 2 3 • Adaptability • “An enquiring mind” • Perseverance Technician in IS 1 2 3 • Team spirit • Rigour • Discretion

Aptitudes Manager in IS Expert in IS Sense of organisation Analytical ability Decisiveness Ability to synthesize Initiative Communicati on skills

Professional Competencies can reach: Assistant Ø Level 1 in each field in group I; Ø Level 1 in 10 fields in groups T, C and M. Technician Ø Level 2 in each field in group I; Ø Level 2 in 11 fields in groups T, C and M. Manager Ø Level 3 in each field in group I; Ø Level 3 in 12 fields in groups T, C and M. Expert Ø Level 4 in 7 of the fields in group I and level 3 in the 6 other of this group; Ø Level 4 in 13 fields in groups T, C and M.

IN GENERAL, AN INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL MUST: Ø have reached a particular level of culture and intellectual education; Ø have acquired at least the basic knowledge in the different fields of information services; Ø have established for him/her self a continuous, professional career plan.