Apprenticeships in the Heritage Sector
This page provides information about heritage apprenticeships for prospective apprentices, employers, training providers and assessment organisations.
For the latest heritage apprenticeships updates, visit our news page.
What is a Heritage Apprenticeship?
Heritage apprenticeships is the term we are using to describe apprenticeship standards created specifically for the historic environment sector. They work in the same way as any other modern apprenticeship in England. The standards have been developed by the Historic Environment Trailblazer and are designed to support the heritage sector to train and maintain a skilled workforce that will care for, conserve and manage our spectacular historic environment.
How do apprenticeships work?
Apprenticeships offer a unique and valuable opportunity for individuals to learn a profession through formal training, gain experience in the workplace and earn money at the same time. They offer employers to increase organisational capacity, either through taking on new staff or upskilling existing staff.
Apprentices spend 80% of their time on the job, learning and gaining experience in the workplace. The remaining 20% of their time is spent undertaking off-the-job training, which is delivered by a registered training provider.
An apprentice must be employed for at least 30 hours per week and have an employment contract for the duration of the apprenticeship. The practical period of an apprenticeship (the time undertaking work and training) must last a minimum of 12 months, but the duration varies depending on the standard.
Apprenticeships also vary in level, from level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) to level 7 (post-graduate degree). Regardless of the level, at the core of each standard are the KSBs: the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours that the apprentice will develop across their programme and evidence in their assessment.
Apprenticeship training providers
Training providers play a key role in apprenticeships. They deliver off-the-job training and provide advice and support to employers and apprentices throughout their apprenticeship. They also subcontract independent organisations to conduct end-point assessments.
End-point assessment
Following the practical period, apprentices go through a "gateway" and enter into their end-point assessment period. All apprenticeship standards come with an end-point assessment plan, which outlines how the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) developed throughout the apprenticeship will be assessed. An independent registered end-point assessment organisation will undertake the assessment.
What can a heritage apprenticeship do for me?
The heritage apprenticeship standards have been designed by the sector for the sector. They offer new routes into a range of heritage professions, increase diversity within the sector, provide development opportunities for staff and address staff shortages and specialist skills gaps. They also foster leadership and people skills for managers and mentors.
Heritage apprenticeship standards
The Historic Environment Trailblazer has developed seven apprenticeship standards in 4 areas: Archaeology, Conservation, Construction, and Historic Environment Advice. Find out more about each standard and known training providers below. Information correct as of January 2024.
Archaeological Technician Level 3
View the Archaeological Technical Level 3 standard
Overview of role: Provide support to Archaeologists undertaking archaeological investigation, which may comprise surveys, excavations and post-excavation analysis.
Typical duration to gateway: 12 to 18 months
Known training providers: Cirencester College (Gloucestershire)
Types of employers who might offer it: Local authorities, National Parks, consultancies, archaeological contractors
Historic Environment Advice Assistant Level 4
View the Historic Environment Advice Assistant Level 4 standard
Overview of role: Provide technical, research and logistical support to historic environment professionals working with heritage assets in the planning and development process, and on the legal and policy frameworks for their protection.
Typical duration to gateway: 24 months
Known training providers: Strode College (Somerset - remote model)
Types of employers who might offer it: Local authorities, National Parks, planning and heritage consultancies, archaeological contractors, national heritage organisations
Cultural Heritage Conservation Technician Level 4
View the Historic Environment Advice Assistant Level 4 standard
Overview of role: Work under supervision to ensure the preservation of cultural heritage objects or collections housed in archives, art galleries, libraries, museums, private collections, as well as historic and ancient sites.
Typical duration to gateway: 24 months
Known training providers: Westminster Adult Education Services (London); Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College (London)
Types of employers who might offer it: museums and galleries, archives, consultancies, national heritage organisations
Heritage Construction Specialist Level 5
View the Heritage Construction Specialist Level 5 standard
Overview of role: Ensure the maintenance of heritage properties through construction projects that repair, restore, adapt, alter or retrofit historic buildings and heritage assets, doing so according to their significance and performance.
Typical duration to gateway: 24 months
Known training providers: TBC - standard approved Autumn 2023
Types of employers who might offer it: construction firms that work with historic buildings, architectural/surveying firms, national heritage organisations
Cultural Heritage Conservator Level 7
View the Cultural Heritage Conservator Level 7 standard
Overview of role: Protect, preserve and conserve objects that could be housed in archives, art galleries, libraries, museums, private collections, as well as historic and ancient sites. Cultural Heritage Conservators may also undertake work related to the internal and external features of buildings, such as historic decorative interiors, stained glass windows and sculpture.
Typical duration to gateway: 54 months
Known training providers: University of Lincoln (Lincolnshire - largely remote delivery)
Types of employers who might offer it: museums and galleries, archives, consultancies, national organisations
Archaeological Specialist Level 7
View the Archaeological Specialist Level 7 standard
Overview of role: Plan, undertake and lead archaeological research and investigation, which may include surveys, excavation, post-excavation analysis and scientific analysis of archaeological materials and data. Archaeological Specialists have specialised knowledge of one or more aspects of archaeological investigation and analysis.
Typical duration to gateway: 36 months
Known training providers: University of Wales Trinity St David (various - remote model); Bishop Grosseteste University (Lincolnshire)
Types of employers who might offer it: Local authorities, National Parks, consultancies, national heritage organisations, national amenity societies
Historic Environment Advisor Level 7
View the Historic Environment Advisor Level 7 standard
Overview of role: Provide specialist and authoritative advice, guidance and assessment to those working on heritage assets and the legal and policy frameworks for their protection.
Typical duration to gateway: 36 months
Known training providers: Birmingham City University (West Midlands)
Types of employers who might offer it: Local authorities, National Parks, planning and heritage consultancies, national heritage organisations, national amenity societies
Other apprenticeship standards
There are also other apprenticeship standards that are available and relevant to the heritage sector, including core, transferable subjects such as project management, HR and business administration, and subjects that have strong specific relevance to the heritage sector such as geospatial survey.
All apprenticeship standards can be searched on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) website.
Next Steps for employers and training providers
I’m a Training Provider interested in delivering the off-the-job training for these new apprenticeships
You will be a provider based at a Further Education/ Higher Education institution or other training organisation.
You should:
- Read through the new Standards in our list above and get in touch with the Historic Environment Trailblazer
- Read the information on becoming a training provider
- Join the Register of Approved Training Providers
I’m an employer looking to take on an apprentice in one of these areas
There are 3 simple steps you should take when looking to take on a Heritage Apprentice:
Step 1: choose an apprenticeship standard
- Have a look at the information on the new standards (use our list above) and see which best fits the needs of your organisation.
- Also take a look at the End Point Assessment Plan for the standard, so you know how it will be assessed to whether your apprentice has met the standard on completing their apprenticeship.
Step 2: identify a training provider
Our table above provides a list of current training providers delivering or developing programmes for the new Heritage Apprenticeship standards. You can also watch the videos and view the presentations from the 'Heritage Apprenticeships: Meet the Training Providers' event.
You should get in touch with the relevant provider to discuss your needs and what they can offer. The following are things employers should consider when choosing the right training provider for you:
- Location of training (how far is it from your workplace? Have you budgeted for travel costs?)
- Method of delivery (is it 1 day per week, or is it “block release” where the apprentice attends training for up to a week at a time, spread out over the year?)
- Timing of delivery (is it an academic year start, or is it a rolling programme an apprentice can join at any time?)
- Content of the training course (How much does the programme meet your needs as an employer and how much flexibility is there to adapt it?)
Step 3: recruit your apprentice
- You should make sure you have spoken to your HR and/or finance teams to ensure you have correctly followed any internal procedures, and that things like how to use the apprenticeships levy have been considered
- Taking on apprentices can help you tackle such issues as an ageing workforce or the lack of diversity in the heritage sector, so why not use this opportunity to be innovative in your recruitment?
- Remember, with an apprentice you are recruiting someone who is going to be learning as they go, so recruitment should be focused on the strengths and motivations of the candidates – the things that will be key to an apprentice’s success at your organisation.
Contact us
If you are an employer or a training provider in the Historic Environment sector and would like more information about the Trailblazer or the development and delivery of the new apprenticeship standards, please contact our apprenticeships team: [email protected]
