NARA'S New Records Management Workshops
Implementing or maintaining a Federal agency records program has many challenges. Through its Records Management Training Program, NARA offers a variety of new and updated records management courses designed to address these challenges and to meet the changing environment of Federal recordkeeping. These courses present practical information that agencies can use to manage their records and ensure agency and Government accountability, protect the rights of stakeholders, and identify records with archival value.
Participants in NARA records management training will receive a comprehensive overview of managing information by performing practical task-oriented, hands-on exercises throughout each course. They may take an examination upon completion of each of the five "core knowledge" courses and those who pass these tests will receive a certificate of completion signed by the Archivist of the United States. The certificate attests that the recipient will have the skills necessary to perform their records management duties more efficiently and effectively. NARA is introducing new courses relating to areas of knowledge that are relevant to anyone responsible for managing Federal records. These courses are:
Knowledge Area 1: Records Management Fundamentals.
This is a basic overview of the management of records. It includes general information on identifying records and non-record materials, increasing program efficiency, applying laws and regulations to managing information, understanding the special requirements associated with electronic records, distinguishing vital records, and promoting and evaluating your program. Audience: New records officers or coordinators, those wanting refresher training, or those requiring a brief overview of managing Federal records throughout their lifecycle. Find out when and where this course is being offered.
Knowledge Area 2: Creating and Maintaining Agency Business Information
This covers the management of information through its lifecycle; how to create, identify, and maintain records; development of policies and procedures for managing e-mail and word processing files; planning for the maintenance of all media using file plans and proper filing techniques; and identifying steps for automating work processes through the use of imaging, document management, and electronic records management systems. (Certification course) Audience: Those responsible for developing information and records systems such as records officers, coordinators, and liaisons. Find out when and where this course is being offered.
Knowledge Area 3: Records Scheduling.
This course helps you perform a business analysis for developing a retention schedule, tells you how to do a records inventory, and instructs you in developing disposal instructions for all records including electronic and special media records. The course also covers how to use the General Records Schedules (GRS) in writing your own schedule; how to assess retention of records based on business needs, accountability, legal requirements, and archival value; how to obtain internal and external approvals for the schedule; and how to complete the NARA Standard Form (SF) 115. (Certification course) Audience: Anyone responsible for developing or updating agency records schedules. Find out when and where this course is being offered.
Knowledge Area 4: Schedule Implementation.
This course covers how to apply the GRS and your own approved agency retention schedules to all agency records in order to properly and legally dispose of your records. It also provides detailed instructions on how to transfer inactive records to the NARA records centers, transfer permanent records to NARA, draft guidelines for the disposal of temporary records and the transfer of permanent records, and train your staff on implementing schedules. (Certification course) Audience: Anyone responsible for creating and maintaining agency business records; shipping and retrieving records from storage; disposing of temporary records; and transferring permanent records to the National Archives. Find out when and where this course is being offered.
Knowledge Area 5: Asset and Risk Management
This course helps you learn how to identify risks within your records management system, how to identify and protect vital records, how to mitigate risk to records, and how to perform a risk analysis. The course also covers how to develop a risk control program, and how to use cost-benefit analysis to assess potential records management projects. (Certification course) Audience: Those responsible for creating and maintaining agency business records such as new and current senior records management personnel, records managers, and information resource managers. Find out when and where this course is being offered.
Knowledge Area 6: Records Management Program Development.
This course teaches you how to perform a self evaluation of your program, market and promote you program, gain support from management, establish an effective records training program, and protect records from unauthorized destruction. (Certification course) Audience: personnel who are involved in managing, operating, or evaluating records management programs, as well as records officers, coordinators, and liaisons. Find out when and where this course is being offered.
In addition to these new workshops, NARA's Training Program is currently developing new courses for professionals including IT personnel, program managers and legal counsels, as well as all Federal workers and Federal contractors. The Mid Atlantic Region will offer all six of the new "Knowledge Area" workshops this year and some more than once. You can find the schedule for Fiscal Year 2005 at www.archives.gov/midatlantic/fed_agency_services/records_management/training.html#1. For more information about the new workshops and registrations for all courses, Dana Keene-Sloan at 215-305-2024 or via e-mail at Dana.Keene@nara.gov.
