Apparently not if the latest report from the Research Information Network (RIN) is anything to go by. "...training on information seeking and information management is uncoordinated and generally not based on any systematic assessment of needs" the opening paragraph states.

The report, Mind the Skills Gap: Information-Handling Training for Researchers focused on the way researchers are trained in the information seeking and management in UK higher education.

The damning report also suggests of a perception among library and information specialists that even competent researchers show "alarming deficits in their information skills" with "little systematic assessment of researchers training needs". Overall the findings suggest the information skills of researchers have failed to keep up with the demands of the modern research information world.

More effort needs to be made among information institutions like libraries and research committees to co-ordinate and manage the right information skills training says the report.

The way I read it, it's not that the HE training researchers are getting is necessarily bad or irrelevant, but there are some issues that the report has highlighted that need to be considered.

1) Funding for relevant information training is not being made properly available. Better clarification for what is eligible for resources is needed.

2) Training should be tailored and developed alongside the researcher's subject field. There has possibly been an over-emphasis on generic training.

3) Improved measurement and monitoring of training made available by those responsible for it, whether that is an institution's central training department or library.

With an RIN workshop due to be hosted in early autumn about the results, please let us know if your experiences are similar to the report findings. Is there such a gap in your experience? Let us know your thoughts.