Begin a career in museums – trainee applications now open

Date issued: 1 October 2020

If you’d like to begin a rewarding career in museums, applications are now open for traineeships at one of five Partner Museums across Essex and Suffolk. 

Ipswich Museum and Christchurch Mansion, along with museums partners at Colchester, the Long Shop in Leiston, Palace House in Newmarket and the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket are seeking applicants for one-year posts – thanks to a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant. 

Transforming People to Transform Museums welcomes applications from local people, aged 18- 55. Trainees will gain an NVQ Level 3 Diploma and in-work training and experiences to build their CV, so we encourage people aged 18-55 that have not completed an undergraduate degree to apply.  

Applicants are expected to have a GCSE grade 4/5 in English or equivalent and no previous museum experience is necessary. Candidates with an undergraduate and/or a postgraduate qualification are not eligible to apply in this instance. 

Nine, one-year placements are available from October across a number of museum sites. In Ipswich trainees will cover Digital Collections, Exhibitions & Displays. Other posts, including marketing, retail, community engagement, events and collections, are available at Colchester Museums, Palace House: National Centre for Horseracing, the Museum of East Anglian Life and the Long Shop Museum in Leiston.

Successful trainees will receive a bursary of £14,400 per year (paid monthly), visit all other partner museums through the extensive training and partner day events and will be expected to complete a NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Cultural Heritage.

Councillor Julie Young, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Performance and Deputy Leader of the Council said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for our local community. Colchester has a vast wealth of history and heritage, and the new trainees will take an active part in helping preserve this for future generations. 

“Anyone interested should complete an online application form, and I wish everyone the very best of luck. It’s a fantastic opportunity and we’ve seen many successful candidates from previous years go on to enjoy rewarding careers in museums.” 

Apply online here: https://suffolkmuseums.org/projects/transforming-people-to-transform-museums/ 

Each Museum will be hosting a taster day where applicants can meet current trainees, supervisors, and get to know more about the project. The taster days and times will be listed on the website alongside the application form.

Applications are now open and will close on Saturday 31 October 2020