In 2007, more online courses became available; the museology study programme was extended to cover 25 ECTS credits, the equivalent of the basic studies in mu- seology offered by Finnish universities. The same year, the association launched an online course, worth 2 ECTS credits, in the basics of museum work; this course was intended for new museum employees who lacked formal qualification.
Other study programmes organised by the association include courses in the production of online learning services at museums, collection cataloguing and the marketing of museums. Parts of the study programmes were implemented in collaboration with, for example, the University of Helsinki’s Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education. Presentation of recent dissertations is one way to improve museum workers’ skills and knowledge; it is a method that has been assessed as part of the FMA’s continuing education programme, in co-operation with the University of Helsinki’s museology studies and the Open University.
Vocational Qualifications as Continuing Professional
for first-line managers, in which participants complete a specialist vocational qualification in first-line management.
The FMA, in collaboration with the Rastor-instituutti, organises a vocation- al qualification in business and administration. This programme, as well as the specialist vocational qualification in product development provided by the multidisciplinary educational institution Careeria, is also targeted specifically at museum workers.
The requirements for the first vocational qualification for museum technicians were completed in 2017. The museum field was strongly represented on the quali- fications committee appointed by the Finnish National Agency for Education. The first museum technicians to graduate from the new programme did so in 2019.
Conclusion
In the discussion about the transformation of museums and museum work and about the museum of the future, issues under current debate are the competences, skills and knowledge needed in museum professions. An integral part of this discussion is ICOM’s museum definition, which will be revised in the 2020s.
The definition is essential to the museum community, because it represents a document capable of defining museum operations, both nationally and inter- nationally. Change in the operational environment of museums is constant. To understand the meaning of this change in terms of competence requirements is essential for museums and individual museum professionals, as well as for organisers of basic education and continuing professional education.
More information regarding museum staff education is needed. Academic re- search related to the museum sector has been conducted, for example, on mu- seum work practices and the development of the profession. There is a huge need for more research on museums, museum profession and professionals, and co-operation with universities is crucial, especial with those universities that teach museology.
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