More than half of the organisations responding to the latest UK Heritage Pulse said they don’t offer apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships provide hands-on experience in many fields including conservation, crafts, and site management, equipping young people with specialised skills that are often in short supply. By offering apprenticeships, heritage organisations can cultivate a more diverse workforce and play a formative role in the career development of their apprentices.
This approach also supports the broader UK government aim to boost employment and vocational training, offering practical career paths outside of traditional academic routes.
Find out more about apprenticeships:
- Apprenticeships in the Heritage Sector – a resource from Historic England
- Training and Skills development good practice guide – National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Guidance from the Museums Association including some common apprenticeship standards
- Can apprenticeships address the sector’s lack of diversity? – Editorial from Teesside University on Arts Professional
- How to hire an apprentice – guidance from the Federation for Small Businesses
The differences apprentices can make
In this video, real employers talk about the difference apprentices have made to their organisations:
