Canterbury Museum achieves a New Zealand first in training
Find out about the first person in New Zealand to complete a National Certificate in Museum Practice (Level 4)
Canterbury Museum Exhibition Manager Stephen Ruscoe has become the first person in New Zealand to complete a National Certificate in Museum Practice (Level 4).
Designed to be studied in the workplace, the qualification is aimed at up-skilling Museum employees, as well as formally recognising the skills they develop and use on a daily basis.
Evelien Huismans, Volunteer/Training Co-ordinator at Canterbury Museum, believes that staff training is a key factor to the longevity and success of the Museum.
“It is of utmost importance that our staff receive relevant training to develop their skills and knowledge, and keep up to date with what is happening in the industry. We see workplace training as an investment, because the Museum benefits from the increased skill level and confidence of staff, which leads to higher motivation and ultimately better staff retention,” she says.
“Offering this national qualification means our staff can be recognised for the skills and knowledge they’ve accumulated as part of their job. Skills are assessed against a set of national benchmarks, so we know the standard required to gain the qualification is high.”
An Industry Training Advisor from ATTTO, the Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation is available to advise Evelien, who organises the training and mentors staff throughout the learning process.
ATTTO Chief Executive Elizabeth Valentine says the New Zealand first achievement is a fitting recognition for the Museum as a leader in training.
“Canterbury Museum has really embraced this training; the fact that the team works on it together, including the Museum Director, really demonstrates their commitment to being leaders in the sector. This is a real achievement not only for this Museum but for the industry as a whole, because they have now raised the bar that much higher,” she says.
Stephen is the first of the 12 person management team to complete the qualification. He says he will be encouraging other staff to undertake the training, and recommends that other Museums in the same position should pair up with local or small institutions to share knowledge and practice.
“It has helped me to gain a better understanding of my colleague’s roles, and how all of our responsibilities fit together to make the Museum work. The Certificate is all about understanding Museum principles and to show knowledge of working examples. It’s not about learning from textbooks, which is great.”
Canterbury Museum Exhibition Manager Stephen Ruscoe receiving New Zealand’s first National
Certificate in Museum Practice (Level 4) from ATTTO Industry Training Advisor Katherine Burt.
Photo taken in Fred & Myrtle’s Paua Shell House, Canterbury Museum.
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