Skills for the Future Starts at RCAHMS

7 February 2011

Seven trainees start new jobs this week learning practical skills at RCAHMS as part of a UK-wide programme of heritage skills training.

Selected from over 300 applicants from all walks of life, they’ll learn key skills that will help them get jobs in archives, museums and galleries in the future. Training will range from analysing never-before-seen Second World War aerial reconnaissance photography to helping put together exhibitions of Scotland’s architecture and archaeology.

RCAHMS is the first organisation in Scotland to host one of the year-long, paid training programmes funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). With a grant award of £606,000 – the largest share of the £2.6 million pot for Scotland – RCAHMS will be able to host 21 paid training places over the next 3 years in documenting and digitising archive collections and promoting their public access.

The RCAHMS programme is one of seven projects under the HLF-funded Skills for the Future initiative, which offers skills training to anyone with a passion for cultural heritage. The focus is on vocational learning, helping to meet the skills gaps identified by heritage bodies, and on encouraging potential trainees from all backgrounds. Other projects due to start in Scotland include conservation and repair training, ecological surveying, volunteer management and traditional woodworking crafts.

Diana Murray, RCAHMS Chief Executive, said, “We hope this training programme will make a real difference to people’s lives at a time of recession when it’s harder than ever for those without qualifications or experience to get jobs. We had a fantastic response which demonstrates how keen people are for practical skills training in the heritage, museums and galleries sector.”

Colin McLean, Head of the HLF in Scotland, said,“Learning skills are a critical element in seeing the country through this downturn and the recovery that will follow. People have to have the skills that employers want in order to secure a job.  These trainees' newly-learned heritage skills will make a difference not only to their own lives but to the future cultural landscape of Scotland.”