TRAINING AND FLEXIBLE WORKERS IN THE NEW INFORMATION AND LIBRARY ENVIRONMENT

This paper reports the information technology training needs and oppor tunities of flexible information workers in the United Kingdom. It con cludes that positive action should be taken to address the needs of fl exible information workers, because currently they have fewer training opportunities than other workers. As information technology becomes i ncreasingly widespread throughout the information sector, this lack of training for a substantial section of the information labour market h arbours negative implications for overall levels of skill in the profe ssion. The paper draws on qualitative data from semi-structured focus groups with flexible information workers and interviews with their man agers. This is used to illustrate the training difficulties, as percei ved by managers and workers, and also the training needs of flexible i nformation workers. Examples from the case study organisations are pre sented to offer potential ways of counteracting these difficulties. Th e paper argues that statutory pressures, from both sex discrimination and health and safety legislation, demand that managers address the ne eds of flexible information workers.