TYNE & WEAR MUSEUMS JOINT COMMITTEE
26 JUNE 2003
REPORT OF: Director of Museums and Galleries
SUBJECT: Positive Action Traineeships
1. Positive Action Traineeships (PATs)
In this respect, a positive action traineeship is a trainee post aimed at developing the skills of people from ethnic groups so that they are equipped to join a profession. The reason for the development of PATs is to address the fact that people from ethnic groups are underrepresented in the work force generally, and in a selected profession, specifically.
2. Museum Positive Action Traineeships
In the United Kingdom, the Museums Association has been leading the development of positive action traineeships and several have been established over the last two years. They usually allow for the trainee to secure a combination of paid, ‘on the job experience’, an associated living allowance, and the opportunity to study for a formal museum qualification.
3. Tyne and Wear Museums Proposal to establish a PAT
It was agreed, by the General Purposes Sub-Committee of the Joint
Museums Committee, in January, that TWM should establish one of these traineeships in collaboration with the Museums Association as part of the precursor to Renaissance in the Regions. The General
Purposes sub-Committee agreed to this, and that a provision of up to
£10,000 per annum be set aside against this, with the prospect of securing match funding from a charitable foundation. In the event the charitable funding was not secured by the Museums Association, and the process was put on hold.
4. Resource Funding for PATs
As part of the settlement for Renaissance in the Regions, Resource allocated central funding for the establishment of PATs and agreed that the Museums Association should develop this proposal. This was done and there was an opportunity to bid for funding under this scheme in
May. TWM bid to establish a PAT and was successful in the competition to secure funding towards a two year post. Furthermore, the financial provisions required under this scheme are far lower than in the original proposal.

5. The Tyne & Wear Museums PAT, 2003-2004
This scheme will involve selection of a candidate who will enjoy parttime, paid work experience with TWM as well as receiving an allowance towards their living and travel costs. They will also secure a place on the two-year MA in Museums Studies at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. This model is well established by the MA, and the fact that the work experience is paid (in effect at the level of Museums Assistant), and that a living allowance is available, is seen as part of the incentive to attract applicants from ethnic groups.
The scheme is aimed at people of African Caribbean, Asian or Chinese origin, who are resident in the UK and who qualify for grants for further education. This restriction is in line with the scheme nationally and is consistent with Equal Opportunities good practice and Race Relations legislation, as is the recruitment process.
6.
Recruitment to the TWM PAT
Adverts have been placed nationally by the Museums Association for six
PATs , including the TWM traineeship. Adapted versions for local press have also now been placed and it is hoped to recruit the successful trainee in July.
7. Costs
The final costings may vary slightly, but will closely match the model, below. It is not anticipated that costs will depart significantly from this. It can be seen from the table that the eventual cost to TWM is significantly lower that the original provision. It is also important to emphasise that the Resource element of the funding, although secured through
Renaissance in the Regions, is additional to any funding received as part of the North East Regional Museums Hub.

2003-4
Yr1
2004-5
Yr 2
2005-6
Yr3
3 Year
Total
EXPENDITURE
Salary plus oncosts for a full year
Actual Salary + On-costs (pro rata)
Course fees
MA
Museum costs (inc supervision)
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
11,425
5,713
1,500
300
1,500
9,013
11,825
11,825
1,553
600
3,105
17,083
12,239
6,120
0
300
1,607
8,026
23,657
3,053
1,200
6,212
34,122
INCOME
MA (Resource)
Course fees (MA or University of Newcastle)
MA Benefits
Contribution to Expenses and O/H
Non-Museum Contribution Totals
In Kind Supervision etc.
Museum Cash Contribution
Museum Contribution Totals
2,856
1,500
300
350
5,006
750
3,256
4,006
5,750
1,553
600
700
8,603
1,553
6,928
8,480
2,875
0
300
350
3,525
803
3,698
4,501
TOTAL INCOME 9,013 17,083 8,026 34,122
8.
Summary
The creation of Positive Action Traineeships is seen as an important way of addressing the under-representation of ethnic groups in the
Museum profession. TWM is delighted to have secured the funding through the Museums Association and Resource to allow it to work with the University of Newcastle upon Tyne (International Centre for Culture and Heritage Studies) and the Museums Association to host one of these traineeships.
9. RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Committee notes this report.
Background Papers:
Positive Action Traineeships papers and proposals held by the Director at
Discovery Museum.
Additional papers held by the Senior Curator, Sunderland Museum.
11,481
3,053
1,200
1,400
17,134
3,106
13,882
16,988