CILIP, the library and information association, launched a new accreditation scheme for short and modular courses in 2020. The latest course to be awarded this accreditation is the new micro-credentials programme 'An Introduction to Information Management’ offered by the University of Glasgow.

This is a 10 week course delivered entirely on-line. New content is released on a weekly basis, including 1 hour of pre-recorded content, exercises, quizzes, and reading. These micro-credential courses are designed to allow learners to upskill and develop their career and provide a springboard onto further study: worth 5 or 10 credits.

Upskilling through micro-credentials is a great way to continue professional development with flexibility at any location while gaining and developing industry-relevant skills and knowledge. Each course is assessed through a range of innovative, Industry-relevant activities and meets the quality standards set by the Common Micro-credential Framework (CMF)

The Short Course Accreditation helps both Learning and Development providers and independent learners by offering the same quality guarantee that full CILIP Accreditation offers to degree-level courses. Employers and individuals can book quality training to enhance skills with confidence.

Helen Berry, CILIP’s Workforce Development Manager said “We know that CILIP accreditation stands for quality. By choosing a CILP accredited course, learners can feel confident that the content is high quality and has been tested against the professional standard by an independent assessor. The CILIP accreditation certifies quality learning and delivery as well as relevance to the employment market.

Our Short Course Accreditation offers the same quality guarantee to shorter courses which don’t lead to a formal qualification. This includes modular courses, day courses and online courses within the Library, Knowledge or Information field.”

Independent assessor, Ann Hindson, commented that “the University of Glasgow’s Introduction to Information Management micro-credentials, is an excellent example of a skills based short course. The learning content is varied and well-paced. The structure of the course allows candidates to build their knowledge incrementally and then demonstrate their learning through a more significant assessment at the end of the course. The final assessment allows students to combine their vocational knowledge with learning from this course and to consider how theory relates to practice in a recognisable scenario.”

Senior University Lecturer Adele Redhead has highlighted that “It was wonderful to have the opportunity to create this course to be part of the University of Glasgow’s Microcredentials portfolio. It has been developed to equip learners with in-demand professional skills and insights and provide a springboard onto further study. It is a great way for learners to continue professional development with flexibility at any location while gaining and developing industry-relevant skills and knowledge.”

About CILIP Short Course Accreditation

CILIP Short course accreditation was launched in 2020.

Accredited Short Courses are recommend for L&D professionals booking training for their organisations and independent learners looking to enhance their skills. All CILIP Accredited Short Courses are independently assessed every three years to ensure they meet the following criteria:

• Relevance of the course to the professional standard (CILIP’s Professional Knowledge and Skills Base)
• The learning provider is providing a high-quality learning experience
• The learning provider engages with employers to ensure that programmes are relevant
• Staff and trainers are up to date with current professional practice
• Learners are encouraged to engage with their professional body CILIP

CILIP Short Course Accreditation

About the University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow’s areas of specialty are museums and archives, libraries, information and records management, and digital humanities. The University’s rich environment of practice-based teaching and research is immersed in heritage and provides first-hand experience in ways that knowledge has been created, used, communicated and preserved from the past to the digital age.

University of Glasgow