Introducing the Collections Trust/Arts Council England Collections Management Traineeships Programme

June 2014

About the programme

• The Collections Management Traineeships Programme is a joint pilot initiative between the Collections Trust and the Arts Council England

• The programme will provide support for up to 20 trainees working in UK museums to:

– Build their skills and competencies in professional Collections Management;

– Improve their knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Museum Accreditation Scheme relating to collections;

– Develop their professional network

How it works

• Trainees will attend an introductory seminar where they will identify learning objectives and develop a CPD plan and be introduced to a Collections Trust-appointed trainee liaison;

• Trainees will work with their employers to identify a project through which to build their knowledge of professional collections management;

• Trainees will be supported to review their progress and CPD, and to support one another through an e-learning platform;

• On completion of the traineeship, trainees will come together to review their progress and identify future goals

What do you get?

• Trainees will receive:

– A Collections Skills Support Pack including a guide to the programme, free publications and useful information & resources;

– A free Collections Management Traineeship Seminar, including travel & accommodation support;

– A fully-funded delegate place at the Collections Trust’s events, including the OpenCulture conference, Going Digital event and a workshop on Risk, Rationalisation and Resilience

– Support from a Collections Trust-appointed trainee liaison

– Access to the Collections Trust’s networks and communities

Benefits for trainees

Practical SkillsPractical hands-on experience, exposure to the professional community and alibrary of best-practice publications.

Career progressionOpportunities for networking, attendance at professional events, a CPD plan,evidence of practical skills & competencies for future employers

Coaching and developmentOne-to-one support, peer support and access to online e-learning platform

Financial supportSupport for costs of travel, accommodation and events

Benefits for employers

Supported CPDTargeted, expert support for professional development for your staff

Project deliveryExpert advice and support for a focused project addressing a specific need

Personal developmentOpportunities for your staff to build skills, confidence and professional networks

Financial supportSupport for costs of travel, accommodation and events for trainees

Sector profileYour museum profiled as a supporter of the traineeships programme

Scope of the traineeship

PRACTITIONER MANAGER LEADER

Commitment to customer focus

Collections Management as a tool to support effective display & interpretation

Ethics and social responsibility

Collections Management underpinned by professional values & ethics

Delivering effective outcomes

Professional practice competencies (eg. documentation, environmental management)

Developing positive relationships

Managerial and communications competencies

Timeline

• Call for applicants Ends July 11

• Applicants invited to ‘meet & greet’ at OpenCulture June 25/26

• Applicants selected July 25

• Trainee seminar End August

• Mid-year review January 2015

• Traineeship concludes, final workshop May 2015

Eligibility criteria

• To be eligible for admission to the Collections Management Traineeships Programme, candidates must:

– Be legally entitled to work or volunteer in the UK– Be working or volunteering in the UK museum and heritage sector– Have worked or volunteered in this capacity for no more than 5 years– Have secured the support of their current host or employer– Be positive, enthusiastic and open in their approach– Be willing to commit to active participation in the programme

Conditions

• Candidates are not expected to hold an academic museum studies qualification to be eligible for the programme;

• The traineeships are unpaid – we expect that the trainee will engage with the programme as part of their development within existing employment;

• The traineeships are not accessible to people who are not already working within the UK museum and heritage sector;

• The traineeships are targeted toward entry-level professionals with no more than 5 years experience in the sector

Conditions

• Candidates are not expected to hold an academic museum studies qualification to be eligible for the programme;

• The traineeships are unpaid – we expect that the trainee will engage with the programme as part of their development within existing employment;

• The traineeships are not accessible to people who are not already working within the UK museum and heritage sector;

• The traineeships are targeted toward entry-level professionals with no more than 5 years experience in the sector

How to apply

• Candidates should download and complete the Application Form from http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/traineeships

• Application Forms, including employers’ confirmation, should be returned not later than 17.00 on Friday 11th July either by email to nick@collectionstrust.org.uk or in writing to:

Nick PooleCollections Management TraineeshipsCollections TrustWC209 Natural History MuseumCromwell RoadLondon SW7 5BD

Contact

@NickPoole1@CollectionTrust

WC209 Natural History MuseumCromwell RoadLondon SW7 5BD

www.collectionslink.org.uk nick@collectionstrust.org.uk