Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB)

Overview of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB)

The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB) associated Healthcare Sector Guidance is a valuable tool for career development. It is for all current, and prospective, library and knowledge staff working in the healthcare sector and their employers.

You can use the PKSB to identify personal strengths and prioritise areas for development based on personal and organisational needs. 

For employers the tool offers a means to assure the skills and competencies of the workforce.

The revised PKSB was launched in 2021 with enhanced coverage of skills and competencies associated with knowledge management and data management. 

An early draft of a CILIP commissioned report on the impact of AI, machine learning, automation and robotics on the information profession was used to inform the PKSB. This ensures that digital skills are well represented in the framework.

You can also access the PKSB Healthcare Sector Guide which places the skills and knowledge within a healthcare context.

How it can help

As a self-assessment tool, it can help you to plan your personal development and be used as part of the process of gaining professional registration and revalidation with CILIP. The PKSB can also help to:

• demonstrate your unique skill set to employers and enhance your understanding of the competencies required by Knowledge and Library Services (KLS) staff
• inform role and service redesign, staff training and be used to support staff recruitment and retention
• perform appraisal and the talent management process
• support workforce planning and development at local, regional and national level

Resources

NHS funded Knowledge and Library Staff in England have access to the PKSB and Healthcare Guidance. If you have not received this link from NHS England, please contact the Knowledge for Healthcare team via email at [email protected].

All CILIP members have access to the new PKSB and Healthcare Guidance via the CILIP website.

If you want to know more about these resources, and do not fall into the above categories, please contact the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.