Association of Canadian Archivists (ACA) releases Competency Framework

January 7, 2025

The Association of Canadian Archivists (ACA) has released its Competency Framework.

The Competency Framework outlines competencies generally required in the archives profession. Core competencies provide the foundation of the framework, describing the knowledge and skills needed to achieve professional goals.

Core Competencies

Foundations and Principles: Archives professionals should have a basic understanding of the theoretical foundations, methodologies, principles, and standards that are common to archives and recordkeeping work.

Legislation: Archives professionals are responsible for complying with applicable Canadian, provincial, territorial, and municipal legislation. Archives professionals should have a good understanding of these laws and how they are applied to archives.

Collections Development: Archives professionals are responsible for ensuring that records of enduring value and documentary heritage are captured, managed, and preserved.

Collections Care and Stewardship: Archives professionals are responsible for caring for records over time. They take active steps to ensure that records are accessible and meaningful for as long as they are needed.

Access and Discovery: Archives professionals strive to provide the broadest possible access to the records in their care and ensure appropriate access.

Outreach and Advocacy: Archives professionals promote recordkeeping and archives to a variety of constituents (e.g., governments, policy makers, organizations, user groups). They also develop programs to promote the increased use and greater understanding of archival materials and methods, resources, visibility, and support.

Administration: Archives professionals are responsible for developing and sustaining an archival program.

Professional Development: Archives professionals are responsible for maintaining and updating their skills for their professional context.

(Via Association of Canadian Archivists)