New Year, New Trainees, New Start!

Date issued: 2 February 2021 

Thanks to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Skills for the Future programme, Colchester + Ipswich Museum services, Suffolk County Council, The Museum of East Anglian Life, The Long Shop Museum and The National Horse Racing Museum, Newmarket, nine trainees have successfully been recruited at several museums in the region through the Transforming People to Transform Museums trainee project.  

All the museums have welcomed their trainees virtually this month, as part of the work-based training programme. The programme is designed to inspire heritage opportunities for young people in Suffolk and Essex through bursary paid placements.  

Of the nine Transforming People to Transform Museum trainees, two are based with Colchester Museums, two with Ipswich Museums, two at the Museum of East Anglian Life, two at the National Horse Racing Museum and one at The Long Shop Museum. They each have a one-year trainee placement, focusing on one of six areas: Community Engagement; Digital Collections; Events and Marketing; Exhibition and Display; Heritage Management, and Retail.  

Each trainee will be working towards an AIM Awards Level Three Diploma in Cultural Heritage, which will enable the trainees to develop skills related to their specific placement area. 
 
Regular online training sessions will also give trainees an opportunity to develop a solid foundation in museum best practice, together with transferable skills in areas that range from collections care and event planning, to budgeting and networking.
 
Councillor Julie Young, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Performance and Deputy Leader of the Council said: “It’s wonderful to see this programme continuing year on year and giving individuals the opportunity to work within the cultural and heritage sector.

“Here, in Colchester, our rich heritage and history is a source of great pride and it’s a pleasure to see fresh talent entering the industry to help preserve it for future generations to enjoy. I look forward to working with some of the successful applicants.”