The DigCurV Review of Training Needs in the Field of Digital Preservation and Curation. An Overview of the Main Findings

Abstract—This paper presents the results of the DigCurV review of training needs in the field of digital preservation and curation. The project carried out three research activities during 2011 and in early 2012: an online survey, a series of focus groups, and an analysis of job advertisements. The results indicate a severe lack of qualified staff as well as a lack of appropriate training options for digital preservation and curation. Staff working in this area need to have a broad spectrum of skills and competences. These comprise both generic and digital preservation-specific and technical skills and competences. An urgent need for training was stated in terms of digital preservation-specific and technical as well as with regard to generic skills. When asked to set priorities and indicate the areas where the need for training was most pressing, respondents clearly assigned these to the digital preservation-specific and technical skills.