Apprentice Elizabeth Stephens recording First World War graffiti at Richmond Castle.
Apprentice Elizabeth Stephens recording First World War graffiti at Richmond Castle. © Historic England
Apprentice Elizabeth Stephens recording First World War graffiti at Richmond Castle. © Historic England

Heritage Apprenticeships Launched

Historic England has launched new apprenticeships to meet the demand for skilled professionals around the country. The new heritage apprenticeships will be available to training providers and employers this year. They are designed to train an increasingly diverse new generation of skilled professionals to care for, conserve and manage the country’s heritage and historic environment.

Historic Environment Trailblazer, a group of 70+ heritage sector organisations chaired by Historic England, has developed the apprenticeships. It includes employers from the commercial and public sector, professional bodies and training providers.

We need to attract fresh talent to meet the very real demand out there from both commercial and public sector employers. These apprenticeship schemes are a huge step forward in terms of the sector’s ability to recruit and train a diverse new generation of professionals. We look forward to supporting training providers all around the country as they help us develop the young people who will progress on to career success in the range of interesting, varied and incredibly satisfying roles the sector has to offer.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive at Historic England

Employers of all sizes will be able to recruit apprentices, through their own advertising channels and through partnerships with training providers who will offer ongoing pastoral support. Apprentices will achieve qualifications equivalent to A-level, foundation degree and master’s degree, through full-time workplace experience.

Training providers are being called on develop, offer and deliver the 20% off-the-job training components of these new apprenticeships. Historic England will also prepare to recruit and train apprentices. These apprenticeships will be open for application from May.

With a generous grant from Allchurches Trust, Historic England will be able to support six apprentices on the level 4 Historic Environment Advice Assistants scheme. The new recruits will be based at Historic England’s regional offices around the country.

As a Trust, we are passionate about protecting the UK and Ireland’s rich history. We’re delighted to have been able to support this innovative Historic England programme, which will see current historic environmental specialists pass on their rich knowledge and skills to apprentices who will be the future of the heritage sector.
Sir Philip Mawer, Chairman of Allchurches Trust