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August 2026 - The National Library of Wales has launched Culture and Climate Cymru: a hub for resources, events and networks to support climate action and resilience in the Welsh cultural heritage sector.

This collection (available in Welsh and English) is designed for both individual practitioners and heritage organisations, with resources on carbon reporting & decarbonisation, energy efficiency, climate justice, and more. The project was developed in collaboration with the Welsh Government.

This helps to address individual and organisational skill gaps around climate evaluation, reporting and agile decision-making.

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Culture and Climate Cymru is a networking initiative which brings Wales’s culture and heritage sectors together to take action on climate.

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Historic Environment Forum calls for contributions to new annual report on heritage sector resilience

The Historic Environment Forum (HEF) is inviting heritage organisations across England to contribute to an annual report on sector resilience and the role of collaborative work.  The report sits alongside the Heritage Sector Resilience Plan 2025-35 (HSRP).  Findings will be published later this year.

HEF has invited contributions through survey participation (open to all heritage organisations) or submissions of more detailed case studies and examples of good practice.

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Easily create surveys and polls to collect customer feedback, measure employee satisfaction, and organize team events.

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National Archives: Student placements in conservation and heritage science.

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Student placements in Conservation and Heritage Science

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Explore how conservation treatments and preventive strategies can support the long-term stability of archival and library collections.

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Cardiff University and Center for Field Sciences Deliver Isotope Analysis Training for Professionals

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Radical heritage science: ideas and methods for social good

Inaugural lecture of Josep Grau-Bové, Director and Professor in Heritage Science at UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage.

23 Apr 2026

Addresses heritage science evolution, interconnectedness and identity in the context of social responsibility.

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UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment

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Radical heritage science: ideas and methods for social good

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Join us for the inaugural lecture of Josep Grau-Bové, Director and Professor in Heritage Science at UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage.

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HES The Engine Shed publishes article 'Craft Fellows and Apprentices share their #NoWrongPath stories' featuring non-linear heritage career paths, including a route via apprenticeship into heritage science.

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Engine Shed guidance for owners and occupiers of traditional buildings

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Engine Shed guidance on how to care for your traditional property and improve its energy efficiency, and on what kind of consents you might need to make changes to it.

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(June 2026) The Historic Environment Skills Forum launched HESCAPE 1.5: a refreshed edition of the Historic Environment Skills and Careers Action Plan for England, setting direction for 2026–2028.

The updated framework improves clarity, usability and focus. It aims to help organisations align existing skills, training, and careers activity with shared sector priorities.

The sector faces recruitment difficulties, skills gaps, and an ageing workforce, while demand grows through repair, retrofit and development pressures; a coordinated approach is needed to tackle these problems. HESCAPE brings activity into a coherent framework to improve coordination, insight and targeting.

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Launching HESCAPE 1.5 - Historic Environment Forum

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Introducing a refreshed edition of the Historic Environment Skills and Careers Action Plan for England, setting direction for 2026–2028 which all can contribute to.

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Essentials of Heritage Science

A two-day workshop from Icon to introduce key heritage science concepts to professional conservator-restorers. 7-9 July 2026 online.

More information: https://www.icon.org.uk/events/essentials-of-heritage-science.html

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Two day online workshop running on 7 and 9 October 2026

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Thoughtful piece Balancing Identities: Heritage, Science and Conservation.

Do definitions help or hinder?

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Balancing Identities: Heritage, Science and Conservation

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Written by Valentina Risdonne and the Icon Heritage Science Group

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Following feedback from members, Icon has replaced its Student Membership category with a new Early Career Membership, in order to 'better support emerging professionals during the crucial transition from formal training to establishing their professional careers.'

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Icon Launches New Early Career Membership Category

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Following feedback gathered from members, Icon has launched a new Early Career Membership category

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National Heritage Science Forum (NHSF) is acting as the technical steering group for Icon’s labour market survey, an initiative aiming to gather a truly comprehensive overview of the heritage and conservation science workforce. This vital project will research who makes up the heritage science community, the capacity of the current workforce, and levels of demand, as well as identifying skills strengths, gaps and needs, providing a solid foundation through which to understand, strengthen, and support our heritage science community as outlined in the Strategic Framework 2024-2027.  The survey is delivered on behalf of RICHeS: Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science through the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

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RICHeS appoints Icon to deliver its first UK-wide Heritage Science Workforce Survey – RICHeS

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The Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS), on behalf of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), is delighted to announce that Icon, the Institute of Conservation has been appointed to deliver a new comprehensive labour survey of the heritage and conservation science workforce.

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Icon has introduced a Career Break and Membership Fees policy to ensure that those who need to temporarily halt their professional practice for caring responsibilities, parental leave, health issues and other exceptional circumstances are not disadvantaged by a career break.

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Icon Introduces Career Break Policy to Better Support Members

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Taking time away from professional practice? Icon’s Career Break and Membership Fees Policy ensures members stay supported and connected throughout life’s changes.

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Very pleased to share that our long-standing goal of better heritage science workforce data will be addressed through this new Labour Survey research, commissioned by RICHeS, funded by AHRC and delivered by Icon.

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Icon appointed by RICHeS to deliver its first UK-wide Heritage Science Workforce Survey

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The survey will generate vital evidence to strengthen skills, planning and long-term resilience across the sector.

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The Heritage Alliance and the University of Oxford are collaborating on a project to create a guide for partnerships between heritage organisations and academic institutions. This is to include examples of best practice and will address some of the key challenges in such partnerships.

This is aimed at the broader heritage sector, but will benefit heritage science.

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Partnership working between the heritage sector and academia (survey) (Page 1 of 6)

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The Heritage Alliance is delighted to be collaborating with the University of Oxford as part of our Creating Connections project. Our aim is to bring together heritage practitioners and academics to share experience and explore what makes partnerships between the heritage sector and academic institutions work. As part of this project, we are producing a guide that showcases the value of academic engagement with the heritage sector, by highlighting case studies and examples of best practice, whilst exploring challenges that may prevent sustained partnership working. We want the guide to be a practical resource containing practical insights, recommendations and solutions, which will:Boost awareness of partnerships and collaboration between the heritage sector and academic institutionsHelp heritage organisations to understand how to build and access research partnershipsDemonstrate the benefits of such partnershipsPlease complete our survey to share your thinking on partnership working between heritage organisations and academic institutions – what works well and what challenges there are. The survey should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete. NB. this survey is aimed at heritage sector organisations and academic institutions, but can be completed by anyone with experience of relevant partnership working.This survey will be open until 1 June. Case studies for our guide can be submitted via a separate form by the same date. Please see the below link for more information:https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/jqdmhrmP5D Thank you for your time in responding to this survey. If you have any questions or encounter any issues responding to the survey, please email Neil Andrews at advocacy@theheritagealliance.org.uk

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Icon Launch Conservation Skills at Risk Project – Supported by a grant from the Pilgrim Trust, Icon is running an 18-month project to map current expertise, understand training pathways, and identify areas where skills shortages may threaten the long-term care of collections and historic objects.

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Icon Launch Conservation Skills at Risk Project

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Icon is launching a new project to identify conservation skills at risk and help safeguard the future of UK heritage.

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RICHeS Call for Tenders – UK Heritage and Conservation Science Labour Survey

First stages of designing a comprehensive survey of the heritage science workforce (sector composition, challenges, and opportunities)

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RICHeS Heritage and Conservation Science Labour Survey – RICHeS

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The Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS), on behalf of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), is inviting bids for a UK-wide labour survey to examine the heritage and conservation science workforce.

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NHSF workforce task group - scale and scope of the heritage science workforce. A quick data review and consultation with members.

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Skills Investment Plan (Scotland's Historic Environment) - year 1 report.

Shows activities contributing to vision of building a sustainable skills ecosystem that will equip individuals with necessary skills and knowledge to safeguard heritage.

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Skills Investment Plan Year One Report | Historic Environment Scotland

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Read the Year One report for the Skills Investment Plan, a five year plan with a collaborative approach to skills planning for the Historic Environment sector in Scotland.

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Who Stays and Who Leaves - Mapping arts, culture and heritage careers.

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AHRC's collaborative doctoral partnership studentships provide opportunities for people seeking a career that spans the arts and sciences.

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Icon is about to begin research into conservation skills at risk - that is, skills practiced by few practitioners and therefore at risk of being lost, or areas where demand exceeds supply. This work will also include an assessment of the conservation science workforce. As part of the research, we will develop an understanding of all conservation skills, including those that are currently stable within the workforce.

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Nottingham Cathedral and Nottingham Trent University create a video game to educate young people about conservation challenges facing historic buildings. ‘Pugin’s Revival’ uses a high-resolution 3D virtual model of the Grade II* listed Nottingham Cathedral to educate players about structural problems and their solutions.

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Educational videogame teaches heritage conservation to young people - Museums + Heritage

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Nottingham Cathedral and Nottingham Trent University create videogame to educate young people about conservation challenges facing historic buildings.

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Icon is about to begin research into conservation skills at risk - that is, skills practiced by few practitioners and therefore at risk of being lost, or areas where demand exceeds supply. This work will also include an assessment of the conservation science workforce. As part of the research, we will develop an understanding of all conservation skills, including those that are currently stable within the workforce.

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The heritage sector covers a variety of careers from archaeologists to rangers, including roles you may not have heard of such as heritage scientist, paper curator, or thatcher. Step into your future and come along to the free Historic Environment Scotland Discover Heritage Careers Fair at Edinburgh Castle! Open to everyone aged 16+.

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Are you passionate about heritage and want a career in the historic environment? Curious about what types of jobs are in heritage or wondering what the next step to get started in your career can be? The heritage sector covers a variety of careers from archaeologists to rangers, including roles you may not have heard of such as heritage scientist, paper curator, or thatcher. Step into your future and come along to our free Discover Heritage Careers Fair at the iconic Queen Anne Building in Edinburgh Castle!

Whether you're just starting out, looking for a new direction, or simply curious about what the heritage sector has to offer, don't miss this unique opportunity at Edinburgh Castle on Monday 27 October from 6pm to 8pm. Meet employers and training providers across the heritage sector, discover the range of career options available, and get expert advice and insight on how to start and build a career in heritage.

Are you a teacher, parent, or career advisor? This event is also for you! Come along to learn more about heritage careers, ask any burning questions and help inspire the young people around you to learn more about careers in the historic environment.

This free event is open to everyone aged 16 and over. Book your place now and start your journey into heritage!

Questions ? Email skills@hes.scot and our team will help you out.

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discover heritage careers fair edinburgh

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discover heritage careers fair edinburgh tickets

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Eventbrite - Historic Environment Scotland presents Discover Heritage Careers Fair - Monday, October 27, 2025 at Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Edinburgh. Find event and ticket information.

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The National Archives hosted an event on 'Navigating the Early Career Landscape in Conservation and Heritage Science'. Included round robin discussions on building and refining portfolios, understanding the grant-writing process, and exploring strategies for advancing within the field. Concluded a panel discussion on workplace culture. 21 Oct 2025, 10am-1pm.

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This workshop is designed to support early career professionals working in conservation and heritage science as they navigate the next steps in their professional development.
Through a series of themed round robin discussions, participants will gain practical insight into building and refining portfolios, understanding the grant-writing process, and exploring strategies for advancing within the field.

A diverse team of experienced professionals from across institutions will share their expertise, offering guidance and reflections drawn from a range of career paths.

The workshop will conclude with a panel discussion centred on workplace culture, providing space to reflect on how to sustain and shape a meaningful and supportive professional life in conservation, and the heritage sector.

This is a hybrid event, so if you are unable to attend in person please choose the online ticket option, and a Zoom link will be sent to you.

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Navigating the Early Career Landscape in Conservation and Heritage Science

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Curious about writing a grant, building your portfolio, or establishing yourself in the field?

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The Heritage Labour Market Intelligence Toolkit enables the collection, analysis and reporting of labour market information and labour market intelligence across the heritage space. It's been developed to enable users to conduct research in a systematic and consistent way, whilst still allowing research to be tailored.

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Heritage Labour Market Intelligence | Historic England

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Information about the heritage workforce and good practice how best to collect this information.

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Durham University has announced the competition for eight PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities. This scheme will support projects beginning in October 2026 related to the themes of the Transformative Humanities framework – innovative interdisciplinary research across digital and environmental humanities, heritage science, and more.

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PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities - Durham University

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Early Career Fellowships in cultural and heritage institutions 2025.

You must be:

an early career researcher

hold a doctorate in a relevant subject or equivalent professional experience and skills

align with your proposed hosts' interests.

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Aim

The overall purpose of this funding opportunity is to enable early career postdoctoral (or equivalent) researchers to gain research and career experience in the galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM) sector.

You will do this through working in a major cultural or heritage host organisation, on a co-designed research project that will also benefit the host organisation.

The objectives of the scheme are to:

create new opportunities for early career postdoctoral researchers to build, deepen or broaden their experience of working in, and with, major cultural and heritage organisations

develop the fellows' skills and future research career in areas of relevance to the work, collections and practices of cultural and heritage organisations

deliver high quality and impactful research and innovation projects

enhance the host organisation's capacity to undertake research and innovation activities closely aligned with its priorities and strategies, and leading to practical benefits and outcomes for the host

address a need across the GLAM sector in respect of the lack of dedicated support at the early stage of research careers

promote equality, diversity and inclusion principles

strengthen efforts to build and diversify research capabilities in the cultural heritage research and innovation ecosystem

further extend the GLAM sector's engagement with, and contribution to, society

catalyse high quality and impactful research and innovation projects

This will be achieved through funding individual fellowships for early career researchers hosted by cultural and heritage independent research organisations, with a complementary programme of networking events and cohort career development activities for the fellows.

Your fellowship is expected to meet all the above objectives.

Scope

Research themes

The focus of your proposal must fit within one of the IRO priority research areas (XLSX, 129KB).

Proposals should contribute to AHRC's objectives and vision on cultural assets and our strategic delivery plan where appropriate as well as address specific areas of research interest identified by host organisations.

Applications will be welcomed from prospective fellows across the full range of disciplines funded by AHRC, including, but not limited to:

archaeology

cultural and museum studies

history

library and information studies

creative and performing arts

design

visual arts

IRO-based research is motivated by public benefit. Research underpins the curation, conservation and interpretation of places, collections and public programmes that engage millions of people every year. Fellows have the opportunity for their research to have a direct impact on a public institution's collections, practices, and policies - which in turn has an impact on the experience and understanding of members of the public.

The IROs are responsible for some of the UK's most significant cultural heritage collections, natural and built environment and performing arts practice. They are multidisciplinary organisations, whose staff hold expertise and undertake research in a range of fields, crossing chronologies, geographies and media.

IRO research communities represent a diversity of specialism and methodological approach - from historical to scientific, practice- and performance-led to pedagogical research, and much more. Fellows will develop the skills, understanding and experience of what it means to work in this sector and how to share research with different kinds of audiences.

IROs welcome innovative new historical, contextual and interdisciplinary research on the UK's cultural and creative heritage.

In developing your proposal, you need to consider the thematic areas below which meet our vision and respond to IRO priorities.

Research may focus on underexplored collections and places, unlocking opportunities for more inclusive engagement with heritage. It may also seek to realise the cultural, societal and economic capital of under-studied collections, heritage landscapes and cultural assets through data-driven research and AI technologies.

Proposal may contextualise collections and heritage in relation to contemporary themes of national and global relevance, such as exploring how collections and places illuminate identities and mobility.

Creative technology may be applied in the context of practice and performance, while heritage science can be engaged to better understand and conserve collections, sites, materials and environments.

Research may also explore how cultural heritage can address and engage with climate change and biodiversity loss, and the sustainability and resilience of collections and heritage. This includes, for example:

collection care

greener institutional practices

efficiency gains in collections management, discoverability and access

risk management

sustainability and the historic environment, including resilience and non-invasive adaptation of historic building fabrics

Research could also enhance current and explore future practices in cultural, heritage and creative organisations. This includes, for example:

application of digital technologies and responsible AI

design thinking or creative methods

balancing open research with copyright and IP

provenance and collection/institution history research to support organisational decision-making

co-design of research to open collections to new users or engage new audiences with heritage spaces

research which helps connect communities, both local and global, with heritage sites and collections

next generation curatorial practices and digital collections

As a candidate for a fellowship, you may develop these themes using a range of methodologies, including practice-based, action research and conservation and heritage science approaches.

Outcomes might include enhanced skills and career pathways within the cultural and heritage sector or, for example, contributions to curatorial, learning or educational practices.

Read the IRO priority research areas (XLSX, 104KB) for more information on specific research themes identified by host organisations. You will need to request any additional documents listed in the IRO priority research areas from the named contact at the IRO.
Read the contact details for IROs (PDF, 136KB).
You must consult the named contact at the host organisation you would like to work with in advance of your application.

Training and development

This funding opportunity includes a tailored training and development programme for the cohort of fellows, designed to support researchers working across the GLAM and HEI sectors. The programme builds on the successful model delivered by the Cohort Coordination and Development Team at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) during the pilot phase, and will include sector-specific skills training, panel discussions, and networking activities to foster peer-learning and cohort identity.

It will support engagement within and beyond the fellow cohort, career development, and inclusive participation. The programme will be delivered primarily online, with some in-person events, including a residential. Fellows are expected to actively engage with the programme, with activities averaging at 0.5 days per week.

Further details about the current training and development programme are available from the Victoria & Albert Museum's Early Career Research Fellowships in Cultural and Heritage Institutions.

Duration

Your fellowship can be full-time, part-time or hybrid (a combination of the two). It can last for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years (longer if part-time).

We expect fellowships to start 1 January 2027 unless exceptional circumstances apply, for example on EDI grounds.

The host independent research organisation will administer the fellowship award and employ you for the period of the fellowship. You will be listed as the project lead of your fellowship grant.

You can include the cost of a short period of research assistance or technical assistance (no more than 12 months full time equivalent in total) to support specific activities in support of your research project.

The fellow must do the majority of the proposed research activity. We encourage you to refer to the principles of the Research Development Concordat and the AHRC guidance on training and developing early career researchers in the arts and humanities when planning and facilitating the work of your research assistant.

Funding available

The full economic cost of your project can be up to £312,500.

AHRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost.

The host institution must contribute the remaining 20% of the full economic cost.

If your expression of interest is successful, the host organisation and the fellow must work together to prepare the budget as part of the application process.

We will contribute to the cost of mentoring. However, institutions may provide additional mentoring support alongside other forms of leadership or career development support for early career applicants, as a part of their additional support for the fellowship.

This route can also include collaborative projects and placements between the IRO host and other GLAM organisations or other partner institutions.

Non-IROs may wish to consider collaborating with an IRO host to offer a placement opportunity for the fellow. This would enable the fellow to spend part of the fellowship with the organisation, for example, to work on a specific project or collection. Costs incurred through placements can be included as part of your funding applications.

Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I)

UKRI is committed in ensuring that effective international collaboration in research and innovation takes place with integrity and within strong ethical frameworks. Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) is a UKRI work programme designed to help protect all those working in our thriving and collaborative international sector by enabling partnerships to be as open as possible, and as secure as necessary. Our TR&I Principles set out UKRI's expectations of organisations funded by UKRI in relation to due diligence for international collaboration.

As such, applicants for UKRI funding may be asked to demonstrate how their proposed projects will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help proportionately reduce these risks.

See further guidance and information about TR&I, including where you can find additional support.

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Early career fellowships in cultural and heritage institutions: 2025

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Apply for funding to conduct research at participating cultural and heritage institutions.

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Historic England and English Heritage - 2025 Call for Proposals for AHRC-funded Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) programme.

Student proposals should be aligned with one of the five stated priority research areas.

Deadline 28 November 2025.

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Collaborative Doctoral Partnership | Historic England

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AHRC funded co-supervised PhD research projects between Historic England/English Heritage and higher education institutes.

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CIfA's regular Archaeological Market Surveys collects data on the market for archaeological services on an annual basis.

Profiling the Profession captures Archaeology Labour Market Intelligence in a series of reports.

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CIfA works with a range of partners, including Historic England and FAME to ensure that accurate labour market intelligence is available for the sector. Initiatives include Profiling the Profession, designed to gather information about everybody working in archaeology and the historic environment and the Archaeological Market Surveys, which provide a snapshot of the market for archaeological services on an annual basis.

Salary benchmarking

To support the sector, CIfA has committed to undertaking regular salary benchmarking surveys to gather anonymised salary data for a range of job roles in archaeology in the UK. Salary benchmarking is widely used to compare salaries for different roles within a profession, track how salaries have changed over time or in relation to inflation or other benchmarks and compare salaries for roles in one profession against similar roles in equivalent professions.
CIfA salary benchmarking reports
Market surveys

This series of Archaeological Market Surveys collects data on the market for archaeological services on an annual basis. The surveys are undertaken by Landward Research Ltd on behalf of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, FAME and Historic England and provide invaluable information on the nature of the archaeological market and its contribution to the UK economy

Profiling the profession

This series of Profiling the profession are undertaken by Landward Research Ltd.

The economic transformation since 2007-08 significantly affected employment in archaeology, resulting in the sector being considerably smaller in 2012-13.

Archaeology Labour Market Intelligence: Profiling the Profession 2007/08
Authors: Kenneth Aitchison (CIfA) and Rachel Edwards (Arboretum Archaeological Consultancy). Published by the Institute of field archaeologists.
Over 2000 employers and individual archaeologists were asked to submit data for their organisation as it related on 13 August 2007. The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists was funded to undertake this project by the European Commission's Leonardo da Vinci II fund, English Heritage, Historic Scotland, Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments and the Environment and Heritage Service (DoE Northern Ireland). It was part of a wider project, Discovering the Archaeologists of Europe, which collected data on archaeological employment in ten European countries, with funding from the Leonardo da Vinci II fund.

Archaeology labour market intelligence: profiling the profession 2002/03
Authors: Kenneth Aitchison (CIfA) & Rachel Edwards (Arboretum Archaeological Consultancy). Published by the Cultural Heritage National Training Organisation.
This report addressed the whole of the archaeology profession and included volunteers (unpaid staff) along with those in paid employment.

Profiling the profession: a survey of archaeological jobs in the UK 1999
Author: Kenneth Aitchison (Landward Archaeology). Published by the Council for British Archaeology, English Heritage and the Institute of Field Archaeologists.
The first profiling the profession was the first comprehensive survey ever conducted into archaeological employment in the UK. It was undertaken with seven objectives:

to identify the numbers of professional archaeologists working in Britain

to analyse whether the profession is growing, static or shrinking

to identify the range of jobs

to identify the numbers employed in each job type

to identify the range of salaries, and terms and conditions, applying to each job type

to identify differences in employment patterns between different geographical areas

to help those seeking to enter the profession

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CIfA works with a range of partners, including Historic England and FAME to ensure that accurate labour market intelligence is available for the sector. Initiatives include Profiling the Profession, designed to gather information about everybody working in archaeology and the historic environment and the Archaeological Market Surveys, which provide a snapshot of the market for archaeological services on an annual basis.

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Icon's Conservation labour Market Intelligence, June 2022

Based on the Heritage Labour Market Intelligence Toolkit.

Used to inform Icon's workforce-related policy and to ensure effective advocacy and support for conservation and heritage science.

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Conservation Labour Market Intelligence, June 2022

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Historic Environment Skills and Careers Action Plan for England

Published September 2024 by the Historic Environment Skills Forum.

A sector-wide skills strategy with the overarching goal of ensuring a resilient workforce with the right skills to meet current and future demand.

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The E-RIHS HS Academy is a series of online training on fundamental aspects of heritage science, including techniques, methodologies, specific heritage typologies and other relevant topics.

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3rd edition | CTinHS Lecture 06: June 19, 2025

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A modern apprenticeship in heritage science. Read about Jasper Croser's experience in the Heritage Science team at Historic Environment Scotland.

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From historic site surveys to innovative material analysis, our laboratory assistant Jasper shares her pathway into heritage science.

Jasper Croser is in her third (and final) year of a Modern Apprenticeship. She is based within our Heritage Science Team, which applies conservation techniques to historic places and collections objects. As a laboratory assistant, she is involved in work at our material analysis facilities, as well as taking part in site surveys, events, training, and shadowing other teams.

Read on to discover how Jasper came to work in heritage science, find out what a heritage science apprenticeship is, the opportunities a modern apprenticeship brings, and what Jasper has learned from the experience.

The benefits of a modern apprenticeship in heritage science

I began my apprenticeship the summer after finishing high school. I could never have planned for it, it just so happened I was in the right place at the right time.

When applying, what drew me to the role was:

immediately entering the workplace, while furthering my education

gaining hands-on experience in industry

the prospective crossover of my interests of science and history

attaining college and workplace-based qualifications

not committing to a degree

Modern apprenticeships are an alternative entry point into a career in science. In the area of heritage science this was the first of its kind. It created a huge learning opportunity for me and for my team as my technical skills and knowledge grew and I became established in my role.

How my apprenticeship is structured

To understand the components of my Modern Apprenticeship, I find it most helpful to break it down into four main areas:

HNC (Higher National Certificate) in Applied Sciences at Forth Valley College

I undertook this over 2 years on a 1 day a week programme. This covered a range of subjects and laboratory skills applicable to science in industry including chemistry, biology and statistics.

SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification) in Industrial Science

This is awarded through meeting criteria designed to fulfil an industry desired standard of competence and knowledge. Work is submitted to an assessor in the form of written reports, professional discussions and in-person observations.

Involvement in the HES Trainee and Craft Fellow Programme

This has given me access to a mentor who has supported me throughout my time at HES and has allowed me to form a network of relationships with other apprentices, trainees and craft fellows. With the group, there is also continued opportunity to attend various training and events together.

Work experience at Engine Shed Laboratory

I believe the most invaluable part of my apprenticeship is the experience I have gained through working with and being trained by a wonderful group of specialists. I have been continually met with the kindness and generosity of people sharing their time and expertise with me. Not just from within the Heritage Science team, but also wider in the organisation and from external partners.

Analysing materials in the lab

The typical samples I work with are stone or mortar samples from a HES site. The analysis methods may include techniques to extract clays and salts, wet chemistry and sample preparation for further analysis like X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) or Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

I generally perform some but not all stages of the analysis of a sample as some areas require more specialist knowledge.

The methods undertaken on each sample are decided on a case-by-case basis, they depend on the nature of the sample and the purpose of the analysis. For example, the purpose of the analysis may be to meet a request for material classification, diagnosing physical or chemical characteristics that are contributing to decay. Or it could be assessing the suitability of a proposed replacement or repair.

A sample can also present the option to be repurposed for use a in project. For example, I created guidance on how to achieve the best XRD results for the varying sizes of samples we encounter. The project used different types of sandstone and trialled the duration, intensity and solvent volume used in our grinding machine to determine the settings that yield the highest quality results for each given size of sample. This established a new standard for the preparation of all samples for XRD analysis by the team.

This information was used in a project investigating the decay mechanisms and characterisation of a stone from Linlithgow Palace, where they removed cores from different depths of the stone to map changes in its mineral composition. The drilling of the cores produced small amounts of powder that were retained for XRD analysis. The methodology that I developed ensured the samples were prepared in a consistent and reproductible way so that the results were comparable. The project highlighted how surface degradation affected the composition of the stone.

At the very least all samples are photographed, logged and stored in an archive as they may, at a future date, be required as a reference or further analysis.

An important part of my job is sample and inventory management. Ensuring sample logs contain up to date information and images and that all chemicals, consumables and equipment are listed, and stock levels are maintained within suitable limits.

I also supported the team in creating good practice for the health and safety compliance of the heritage science laboratory. I have developed a new dust protocol to limit exposure to silica dust during all lab procedures. As part of this, I have created COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) assessments, updated the lab access procedure and I am currently undertaking a project reviewing and updating the lab's risk assessments and standard operating procedures. The project will ensure that there is continuity in the information provided by all lab documentation and that this is compliant with the latest health and safety advice.

The use of different in-house and on-site equipment

I have had the opportunity to be trained on lots of different types of equipment and use them in a range of environments from the laboratory to stunning castles and muddy fields. Training usually covers theoretical principles, operation, software, data processing and interpretation of results.

Site surveys I have been involved in include the use of Microwave Moisture Sensing (MMS) equipment to gather data on the relative levels of moisture in walls.

This type of survey collects data points in a grid pattern across a flat surface and has different sensor heads that can detect moisture to different depths. Once processed this data is used to create 'moisture maps' which indicate damp areas. This can be useful in investigating the extent of a damp issue in a building, the potential structural causes, and exacerbating factors of water ingress. It is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of repair works by repeating a survey sometime after the repair.

Another field technique I have had some experience in is Ground Penetrating Rader (GPR) technology. This is used to visualise subsurface structures. I used this at Edinburgh Castle to view an internal roof structure and at Inveresk Roman Fort with the Geophysics Team.

Learning about geology and building stone

My favourite moments from my apprenticeship have been when collaborating with others. While working on projects, on-site or on trips, I am getting the chance to visit some amazing places.

At the start of my apprenticeship in September 2022 my main task was to learn as much as possible about buildings in Scotland, the local materials, terminology, and conservation science. I did not expect to find stone of all things particularly interesting. I was lucky to have my manger, Dr Callum Graham, as an enthusiastic educator and I soon caught the very contagious geology nerd bug.

In October 2022 I attended a BGS (British Geological Survey) building stone geology workshop with other members of the Heritage Science Team. It was a really memorable and enjoyable day and provided me with a lot of contextual information. This was when I began to tie together the different concepts I was reading and hearing about and was able to gain a greater understanding of:

the variety of stone that comes from Scotland

how the characteristics of a building stone affect its performance in situ

how stone can be identified and analysed through methods like Petrography

and how a bad 'stone match' can result in a bad repair

I have been involved in the HES Stone Survey project by providing the lab support. Here, I was responsible for maintaining a tracker holding all the relevant information about the samples (nearing 400 in total), photographing them and organising them into appropriate storage in the lab.

Exploring the heritage industry on field trips

Every year craft fellows, trainees and apprentices go on a Continued Professional Development (CPD) trip. I am lucky to have gone twice, with a new group of people each time. Both years were an educational and fun experience, completely different, and a highlight of my time at HES. In March 2023 we went to different locations in Dundee and Angus and in May 2024 we went to Oban. The trip offered a fantastic opportunity to travel to and learn about different historical sites and the wider heritage industry. It also felt very meaningful to spend time with the craft fellows and trainees.

Researching earth mortar

My final highlight has been getting the opportunity to work on different research projects.

Last year work was being undertaken at the Engine Shed to develop a methodology for the analysis of earth mortar. This was in response to the limited information available on standardised laboratory protocols for the material.

This is due to the fact there has been a larger focus on understanding lime mortar and the extent of the use of earth as a building material is still being determined.

The time allocated to the lab phase of the project was restricted by delays, so there was a tight deadline on the work. However, in this time there were lots of interesting developments made as the nature of the material presented new challenges. Different treatments like Loss-on-ignition (LOI) and acid digestion were explored. It was extremely rewarding that my knowledge of the techniques and equipment available at the Engine Shed was found useful.

During this time, we had many interesting and constructive brainstorming and troubleshooting conversations, which made this project stand out to me and makes this such a fond memory.

What's next for me?

I have decided that I would like to further expand my knowledge, skills and opportunities by attending University.

As well as helping to make this opportunity possible for me, my apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to enter the next phase of my career feeling confident and accomplished with my achieved qualifications, and with a great deal of experience in the heritage science industry.
Learn more about apprenticeships and the different pathways into building conservation careers. Also read our excellent publication with resources about women in construction and start building your career. About the author: Jasper Croser is in her third (and final) year of a Modern Apprenticeship. She is based within our Heritage Science Team, which applies conservation techniques to historic places and collections objects

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A modern apprenticeship in heritage science - Engine Shed

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What does a modern apprentice in heritage science do? Our laboratory assistant Jasper shares her pathway into heritage science.

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Meet Young Researchers in Heritage Science through this LinkedIn page designed to support networking amongst master's students, PhD candidates and Early Career Researchers working in the field of Heritage Science.

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Login to LinkedIn to keep in touch with people you know, share ideas, and build your career.

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Read about Giulia Cardin's experience as an interns in Conservation Science at the British Library.

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Skills Needs Analysis for the Repair, Maintenance and Retrofit of Traditional (Pre-1919) Buildings in England, 2024.

Historic England (September 2024)

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The Heritage Sector Net Zero Projects Audit Report sets out research on skills and funding gaps to achieve net zero. The research was commissioned by the Historic Environment Forum. (December 2024)

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The Migelien Gerritzen Fellowship at the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, enables early career scholars to conduct conservation and scientific research on art works and historical artefacts. (November 2024)

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Migelien Gerritzen Fellowship - Rijksmuseum

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The Migelien Gerritzen Fellowship welcomes proposals for conservation and scientific research that make use of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and resources.

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Event on Science and Heritage Learning with GEM Cymru - held on 3rd December 2024.

The event explored opportunities for collections, archives and venues to support pupils in the Science and Technology AoLE section of the Curriculum for Wales.

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Science and Heritage Learning with Creative Consultant, Stephen Rowley

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Eventbrite - GEM Cymru presents Science and Heritage Learning with Creative Consultant, Stephen Rowley - Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - Find event and ticket information.

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English Heritage has collaborated with OAT futures to publish a series of career profiles giving an insight into day-to-day work at the organisation. Conservation Scientist and Climate Resilience Lead are amongst the roles featured.

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The Skills Investment Plan for the Historic Environment in Scotland recognises the need to support the workforce and nurture their skills, knowledge, expertise and personal qualities. It is a sector-wide strategy that aims to ensure that Scotland has the skills it needs to promote, manage and protect the historic environment. It includes heritage science as a specific work area.

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Overview

What is the Skills Investment Plan?

The Skills Investment Plan for the Historic Environment is a sector-wide skills strategy that aims to ensure that Scotland has the skills it needs to promote, manage and protect our historic environment.

Read the Skills Investment Plan

Eleven areas of focus have been identified as being needed to develop a sustainable skills system:

Securing sustainable resources

Strong sector leadership

Collaboration and alignment

Data informed decision making and reporting

Growing 'brand heritage'

Stabilising, maintaining and growing specialist technical skills

Accreditation and standards

Attracting future talent and developing inclusive progressive pathways

Accessibility of CPD

Improving digital literacy, application and solutions

Skills to address the climate crisis

What are the Skills Investment Plan's priorities?

The strategy has three priorities which the plan will work to deliver up to 2029:

Priority 1: Growing Provision and Building Capacity

Priority 2: Attracting Future Talent and Improving Access

Priority 3: Fostering Innovation

What are the Skills Investment Plan's work areas?

Archaeology

Architecture, engineering, planning, surveying in a heritage context and with a conservation approach

Archives and libraries

Conservation art and artefacts

Heritage science

Heritage tourism

Historic landscapes and gardens

Industrial heritage

Museums and galleries

Traditional building skills and materials

Please contact us if you would like to be involved in this work or for more information on the Skills Investment Plan.

Growing provision and building capacity

There is a clear need for specialist skills across our sector to grow the supply of skilled contractors and craftspeople. To meet the needs of the sector and support its growth, the delivery of education, skills and training needs to be flexible, multi-faceted, and focus on skills and knowledge sharing across the workforce, including volunteers.

How will we achieve this priority?

Attracting future talent and improving access

Developing a strong pipeline of talent and ensuring that the future workforce has the right knowledge and skills for working in the historic environment sector is vital.

Developing a strong pipeline of talent and ensuring that the future workforce has the right knowledge and skills for working in the historic environment sector is vital. In 2023 we undertook a survey which highlighted that 41% of employers found attracting future talent extremely challenging and 68% anticipated skills shortages in the next 5 years.

Working with key organisations in the heritage sector, career influencers and partners, we aim to increase awareness of career opportunities in the sector, encourage more people to consider a career in the historic environment sector, and enable more people to gain valuable work and employability skills. The development of employability opportunities supports the gaining of skills that could be the start of a fulfilling career or business, while helping to care for Scotland's heritage and addressing important challenges in our communities.

How will we achieve this priority?

Spotlight: Heritage Careers Week

Since 2024, a group of heritage and education organisations have worked to deliver a national campaign aimed at inspiring young people to consider careers in the heritage sector. Heritage Careers Week takes place on the last week of October and it combines in person activities with an online presence and virtual live lessons.

Find out more

Please contact us if you would like to be involved in this work or for more information on the Skills Investment Plan.

Fostering innovation

The consultation for the SIP highlighted the need for innovation to support net zero mitigation and adaptation, nurturing digital literacy and innovation and ensuring that the latest research and best practice can be used to benefit the sector through skills outputs.

There is currently a divide between the level of knowledge, understanding and skills application within net zero and digital skills organisations have. This divide will become increasingly apparent as technology continues to become even more important and sophisticated as we approach Scotland's target date for net zero emissions in 2045.

How will we achieve this priority?

Spotlight: Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland developed resources and capacity to deliver the course, Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings. The course provides learners with the knowledge on assessing, designing and implementing energy-efficient solutions for older and traditional buildings. It upskills professionals working in architecture, conservation, construction, energy and environment, as well as other related films.

The Engine Shed offers a variety of training and advice around energy efficiency and building conservation. Visit the Engine Shed website for more information on their course dates, events and learning opportunities.

Please contact us if you would like to be involved in this work or for more information on the Skills Investment Plan.

Governance and delivery

Skills and Expertise Group

The Skills and Expertise Group is an industry led group which oversees the delivery of the SIP. The group meets biannually and provides advice, support, monitoring and advocacy to enable the delivery of the Skills Investment.

Read the Skills and Expertise Group minutes.

Monitoring and reporting

To report on the delivery of the strategy and identify areas of focus, the Skills Investment Plan Team monitor activity and the health of skills and provision in the heritage sector. We provide regular progress updates to the Skills and Expertise Group for review and advice on any areas of concern or need for a change of focus. Monitoring includes case studies and quantitative data which inform annual progress reports and the strategy's data baseline.

Implementing Action Plans

Through sector consultation with partners and key organisations, we have developed skills profiles and action plans for each one of the strategy's pillars. Working together, we have identified steps for each of the activities in the action plans. Delivery mechanisms to oversee the delivery of the action plans are being set up.

Read the skills plans and the Skills Investment Plan

For more information on the delivery groups or the Skills Investment Plan, contact the Skills Team at skills@hes.scot.

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Skills Investment Plan for the Historic Environment | Historic Environment Scotland

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The Skills Investment Plan recognises the need to support our workforce and to nurture their skills, knowledge, expertise, and personal qualities.