The Digital Preservation Coalition is pleased to announce the extension of its Leadership Programme to provide scholarships that will allow members to access training and development opportunities that meet their individual, local needs.
The DPC has long recognised the very great need among our members for access to specialist training, but also the very great risks and costs that are incurred by those that provide and deliver such training. The DPC Leadership Programme offers an on-going programme of grants so that our members can attend training and development opportunities. The programme also helps ensure that the organizations which offer training can be assured of a return on their investment. Over the course of its lifetime, the DPC Leadership Programme has provided more than 100 grants for members. This extension to the programme will allow members to submit scholarship applications for development opportunities that meet specific needs they have identified within their organisation.
"The DPC is committed to ensuring we provide access to the development opportunities that our members require", explains Head of Training and Skills, Sharon McMeekin. "Earlier this year we carried out a Training Needs survey and this, in addition to anecdotal evidence from our open dialogue with members, clearly indicated that the professional development requirements of the DPC membership are evolving. The survey showed there is still a need for generic and introductory-level training, and the DPC will continue provide this. But our members have also highlighted a need for training and development that is more advanced, more specific and, at times, on subjects that are adjacdent to digital preservation. It is our hope that this extension of the Leadership Programme will make the scheme more flexible for members and be the first of many ways the DPC can support their evolving training and development."
Access to scholarships will now be provided through 2 routes: regular calls for applications covering establish digital preservation courses, conferences and events; and applications for scholarships to development opportunities that members have self-identified. Both routes are described in detail in the Leadership Programme Application Guidelines. The first deadline for applications for self-identified opportunities will be 31st October 2018.
The Leadership Programme is kindly funded by the DPC Supporters: Arkivum, ExLibris, Formpipe, LibNova, MirrorWeb and Preservica.