04 May 2023

PROV launches new e-learning tool

Public Record Office Victoria launches a free e-learning module on digital recordkeeping, aimed at Victorian public sector agencies and local governments, covering obligations, managing information, storing securely, and disposal.

Public Record Office Victoria’s (PROV) popular, free and online Recordkeeping Essentials training for Victorian Public Sector and local government agencies now has a companion course focused on digital public records.  

PROV is the archives of the State Government of Victoria based at the Victorian Archives Centre in North Melbourne. They hold over 100 km of physical and 600,000 digital Victorian Government records from 1836 to the present day. They set mandatory recordkeeping standards and provide advice on recordkeeping to government. This year marks the 50th anniversary of PROV and the Public Records Act.  

On the 1st of May, PROV launched their Digital Recordkeeping e-learning module providing an overview of the requirements of Victorian Public Sector agencies, local government or any organisation with responsibilities under the Public Records Act 1973. The module looks at responsibilities in relation to keeping digital records, why we need to keep these records, and how to do so lawfully and in accordance with PROV standards. While this training is relevant for all, it will be of particular interest for recordkeeping and information management staff, as well as online communications teams responsible for websites or social media. 

A public record is any piece of information created, sent and received by a Victorian public sector employee in the course of their work. This can be physical (a hard copy file) or digital (emails, mobile device generated records, websites, social media posts). 

The course is broken up into five parts, each should take no more than 15 minutes to complete: 

  1. Obligations and requirements: Learn what a digital record is, the legislation and standards that we must abide by in relation to these records, data security, and strategies and tools to assist with recordkeeping. 

  2. Managing digital information: Dive into specific digital record examples such as emails, chats, messaging, and social media as well as personal devices and other considerations like M365.  

  3. Trusting the record: Learn how to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of records including minimum specifications of metadata required. 

  1. Storing information securely: Look at the different types of storage available, from on-premise to cloud hosting. 

  1. Disposal and retention: Learn about disposal in a digital environment and the process to transfer permanent records to PROV. 

The course is designed so that you can pick and choose to do what sections are most relevant or of interest to you. However, if you want to receive the certificate of completion, you must do all five parts. 

Visit the PROV website to access this and their original Recordkeeping Essentials course: Online recordkeeping training | PROV 

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