Internships in practice reflections on the practicalities of museum internships from the perspective of a host organisation  the impact of workplace learning on capacity, skills, entry and diversity.  challenges faced and the insights gained. Fiona Colton, Senior Museums Curator, Scottish Borders Council Museum & Gallery Service

An opportunity and a challenge? Museums Galleries Scotland Internship Scheme announced in 2010 Heritage Lottery Skills for the Future Funding for the project and Intern Stipend Person Specification: eligibility & definition of MGS Intern. Application process & timescales. Refining the project plan - experiential learning opportunities. Focus on Skills: Learning Framework & Validation process. Differing Perspectives… following announcement of the scheme, feedback from the sector ranged from enthusiastic support to outrage.

A challenging opportunity Balancing MGS priorities with SBC corporate requirements and aspirations  Consultation with staff: Roles, CPD and Clarity of purpose  Diversity, Sifting, Shortlisting & Interviews: Taking a risk?  Operational considerations- status, security & supervision  Keeping on track: Monitoring, coaching, feedback & evaluation  Reflecting on how learning is achieved (adaptive learning)  Capacity & employability - Moving from knowledge to skills… and developing workplace behaviours & competencies

Practicalities Ensure buy-in from senior managers & staff through effective advocacy and consultation Build in a proper Intern induction process, agree management structure and baseline training Clear diary for first 2 weeks and work hard on team building & integration into workplace Table monthly review meetings with Intern for the following 12 months

Lessons Learned Make it a real experience- provide context, suggest contacts, offer feedback, insist on good time management Provide opportunities to gain wider knowledge of the sector through networking or learning journeys Agree deadlines, set high standards with attention to “finishing” Expect some slippage (and build in flexibility) but also watch out for “flittering” and “poachers” Manage tendency to look for too many new ventures.

Insights Gained  workplace learning – initial period was characterised by focus on knowledge (what is known/theory) and observation  Key positives: Adaptive Learning (Experiential)…Building Appropriate Workplace Behaviours  Learning is a journey: Understanding How something was learned is as important as What was learned  Capacity building for the Intern and the Host Organisation- developing confidence and skills on both sides. Fostering a can-do attitude.

The Politics of Experience?  Entry & diversity: knowledge gained on this non-standard entry route (Non-specialist Internship) is comparable to learning gained during a year of academic/post graduate study.  However, the skills set gained during the Internship provided the individual with more evidence-based learning and proven track record in a workplace learning setting (therefore better employability/increased prospects?)  Time to re-think recruitment norms which traditionally favour post-grad qualifications? Is there Sector appetite for supporting or hosting more diverse entry level opportunities?  The challenges faced were strongly outweighed by positive gains for MGS, the Host Organisation/Staff and SBC’s Intern.

Some highlights from Kelsey Jubin’s Learning Journey Internship with SBC Museum Service

MGS Internship Programme Interview presentation 19 th August 2011 Kelsey Jubin Project Researcher Museum of the World Hereford Mappa Mundi, Marshall Island Hereford Mappa Mundi, c.1290 Navigational Stick Chart c.1290 late-19 th /early-20 th century

The venues Kelsey spent time at: COLDSTREAM Coldstream Museum HAWICK Hawick Museum HAWICK Borders Textile Towerhouse GALASHIELS Old Gala House DUNS Jim Clark Room SELKIRK Halliwell’s House Museum SELKIRK Sir Walter Scott’s Courtroom ANCRUM Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre PEEBLES Tweeddale Museum JEDBURGH Mary Queen Of Scots Visitor Centre JEDBURGH Jedburgh Castle Jail INNERLEITHEN St Ronan’s Wells Interpretive Centre

Weights and Measures Relocation Project

Accessioning the Gala Braw Lass Collection

Tweeddale Museum and Hawick Museum Audits

Interns training & networking

Skills development: Assisting with Exhibition and Education projects Lights, Camera, Action… Who’s jumper and scarf is this?

Mini-beasts, Felt Art, Silver Arrow and Shoes