Librarians and resource centre managers, and their staff of library assistants together manage all the library resources in a school, including print, audio-visual, online and e-learning material. Librarians or resource centre managers will also be closely involved with the senior management team, and advise on strategic use of resources to achieve a school's objectives.
Other activities qualified librarians and library assistants also typically engage in include supporting literacy initiatives in schools, promotional and marketing activities, and contributing to the extended schools programme. Qualified librarians and library assistants play a central role in promoting literacy in schools and helping schools achieve their learning targets, in line with educational initiatives.
Library assistants
Library assistants manage the day-to-day running of library services, helping pupils and teachers access the materials they need to help them learn and teach.
School librarian or learning resources centre manager
The school librarian or learning resources centre manager is responsible for acquiring, organising and disseminating resources that support learning needs of pupils and the needs of the wider school community.
What skills do I need?
The skills required to be a qualified librarian differ from those required to be a library assistant. Both roles require you to:
- be highly organised
- have good information technology skills
- possess good communication skills, and
- customer service skills.
Qualified librarians will also usually require:
- research skills, and legal knowledge eg copyright law
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
All school library staff need excellent information and communication technology (ICT) skills.
The level 2 Award, support work in schools is suitable for all support staff in schools and it will help you to demonstrate an understanding of how schools work; child and young person development; safeguarding the welfare of children and young people; the importance of communication with adults and children and equality, and diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people. For more information visit our qualifications page.
Assistant librarians
Employers will usually look for GCSEs at a Grade A-C or equivalent, including English. However, you might be able to find work without formal qualifications if you have skills relevant to the particular library or job.
School librarian or learning resources centre manager
A degree in librarianship or information management that is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP); or a degree in any subject, followed by a postgraduate qualification in information management.
Further information
For more information on how you can gain the skills and qualifications to become a librarian or an assistant librarian, visit Connexions, the CILIP website or find possible qualifications on our career development framework (CDF) page.
ICT technicians look after school networks, install, order and maintain software and hardware and provide technical support to teachers and pupils.
ICT technicians are responsible for general maintenance of computer equipment and for the resolution of technical problems, in addition to promoting the use of ICT across the curriculum.
Day-to-day tasks could include:
- managing and developing the school's website and intranet
- managing the school's network
- providing technical support for teachers and pupils
- installation and testing of new software
- maintaining peripheral equipment, eg scanners, printers, whiteboards, projectors, and liaising with external suppliers for the repair of equipment under warranty or maintenance contract.
What skills do I need?
- good problem-solving strategies
- excellent communication skills
- flexible approach to work.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Employers will look for knowledge of a range of ICT hardware and commonly used software applications.
The level 2 Award, support work in schools is suitable for all support staff in schools and it will help you to demonstrate an understanding of how schools work; child and young person development; safeguarding the welfare of children and young people; the importance of communication with adults and children and equality, and diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people. For more information visit our qualifications page.
ICT technicians can work towards an information technology qualification (ITQ), the industry vocational qualification for IT users.
Further information
For more information on how you can gain the skills and qualifications to become an ICT technician, visit our career development framework (CDF) pages.
Design and technology (D&T) technicians specialise in two of the four main design and technology areas − electronics and communications technology, food technology, materials technology and textiles technology.
In the classroom, design and technology technicians work in a team with teachers, teaching assistants and other support staff to support pupils. Technicians play a crucial role in supporting and directly improving students' learning experiences in D&T.
Day-to-day tasks could include:
- preparing equipment and teaching areas for practical classes
- maintaining equipment and teaching areas
- ensuring a safe environment, and
- supporting teachers in practical classes
- helping students to get the most of out learning experiences.
What skills do I need?
- to be highly organised and flexible, and experience working in an educational environment.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Qualifications specific to secretaries can be identified by visiting the Register of Regulated Qualifications.
The level 2 Award, support work in schools is suitable for all support staff in schools and it will help you to demonstrate an understanding of how schools work; child and young person development; safeguarding the welfare of children and young people; the importance of communication with adults and children and equality, and diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people. For more information visit our qualifications page.
As a D&T technician you may be interested in gaining HLTA status. The HLTA specialist programme in food technology may be suitable if you work in the relevant area in a secondary school. For more information please visit our HLTA pages.
Further information
You can find out more about the work of D&T technicians from the Design and Technology Association (DATA) website which represents everyone involved in D&T education and associated subject areas.
To learn more about the development options for D&T technicians, see the career development framework (CDF).
Food technicians help prepare food and equipment for lessons, ensure health and safety regulations are met and assist with lessons.
Day-to-day tasks could include:
- promoting healthy eating
- preparing food and equipment for pupils to use during lessons, and maintaining stock and equipment.
What skills do I need?
- experience preparing food
- enjoy working with young people, and self-motivated.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You might be able to find work without formal qualifications if you have skills relevant to the role. At entry level, employers will look for: a foundation certificate in health and safety in the workplace, a foundation/certificate in food hygiene or a vocational qualification in hospitality.
The level 2 Award, support work in schools is suitable for all support staff in schools and it will help you to demonstrate an understanding of how schools work; child and young person development; safeguarding the welfare of children and young people; the importance of communication with adults and children and equality, and diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people. For more information visit our qualifications page.
Further information
The HLTA specialist programme in food technology may be suitable. For more information please visit our HLTA pages.
For more information on how you can gain the skills and qualifications to become a food technician, visit our career development framework (CDF) page.
Career structure and new qualifications recommended for science technicians by the Association for Science Education (ASE).
The ASE encourages schools to adopt the following career structure for science technicians:
- assistant technician (level 1) - providing general assistance and information
- technician (level 2) - coordinating the use and maintenance of practical resources and, for example, assisting in demonstrations
- senior technician (level 3) - as for a technician but providing technical or health and safety advice and, for example, supervising assistant technicians
- team leader technician (level 4) - reporting to the head of science and supervising colleagues. Involved in setting up and monitoring systems for managing resources, including budgets.
For more information about the career structure and role of science technicians, go to the ASE website. Here you can find details about apprenticeships, foundation degrees and the vocational qualifications in laboratory and associated technical activities (LATA) (levels 1-4).
You can also download the leaflet ‘A career structure for science technicians in schools and colleges’ (PDF, 695KB).
The CLEAPSS School Science Service offers a careers guide for technicians (PDF, 512KB).
As a science technician, you may also be interested in becoming a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA). Further information on becoming an HLTA can be found on our HLTA pages.