Towards a new model of LIS competences management in Portugal: Implications for the praxis and academia studies

After briefly presenting INCITE, The Portuguese Association for Information Management's, main research projects on LIS competences development and professional qualifications, this paper discusses the Association's contribution to the redesign of LIS professional competences pathways in the working environment; namely the movement from a pilot project of constructing three LIS educational and vocational training frameworks, in 2004, to an active participation in the strategic task force led by the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) and the National Agency for Qualifications (ANQ), in 2007. This second task is expected to produce a National Qualifications Catalogue (CNQ), based on a constructive approach of lifelong learning capable of enriching what one may call a network of praxis and academic studies. The paper also reflects on the role of professional associations in prioritising lines of research and strategic positions capable of moulding the present and future of LIS competences and qualifications and of extending the range of possible choices in a framework adapted to the national level of competences asymmetries. Finally, it is pointed out that in Portugal the introduction of changes in LIS competences profiles and praxis are more effective in vocational training models than in educational models.