New Skills Development Fund For Museums Sector

16th March 2013

Details of a new fund created by Museums Galleries Scotland to support the Scottish museums sector in skills building and workforce development have been announced.

The Scottish Government is providing �80,000 to establish the SkillsDevelopment Fund to support the sector to work in partnership to run training courses and skills development programmes in Scotland. The collaborative training activities might include board development, mentoring, fact finding visits, skills sharing and exchanges.

The decision to create the fund was made following consultations with the sector on the National Strategy in 2012. A newly published report on the consultations highlights the sector�s priorities and resource requirements with skills development being one of the top resource needs identified by the sector.

Joanne Orr, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland said:�We are pleased to offer this new MGS Investment Stream that specifically addresses an important resource requirement that has been highlighted by the sector. The fund enhances our National Skills Development program by increasing access to good quality and relevant training. Essentially this is skills development support for the sector that will increase partnership working and create opportunities for knowledge sharing and peer support. I commend the Scottish Government for their endorsement for the museums sector and the National Strategy through this investment.�

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:�The Scottish Government is committed to supporting training and improving the job prospects of Scots to help build the economy. Strengthening skills is also one of the main priorities of our National Strategy for Scotland�s Museums and Galleries.

�That is why I have allocated �80,000 to establish Museums Galleries Scotland�s Skills Development Fund which will provide opportunities to build expertise and share knowledge.�

Frank Little, Chair of the East Scotland Museums Partnership (ESMP), said:�This is good news. Skills development is increasingly important and has been a key element of the work of the ESMP. This dedicated fund will allow partnerships like the ESMP to plan ways to work together to benefit skills building across the sector.�

Applications of up to �20,000 will be considered. The fund opens on 1 April 2013 and applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. Full details are available from http://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/how-we-help-museums/funding/skills-development-fund/