Entry routes into the Workforce
There are many benefits to opening up the museum sector workforce to new entrants of all backgrounds. A better understanding of the communities we serve, a wider pool of skills and experiences to tap into, fresh ideas and new talent are just a few. MGS has supported and funded a number of Entry into the Workforce initiatives
Creative Apprenticeships
The Creative Apprenticeship developed by Creative and Cultural Skills (CCSkills) offers an alternative route into the museum sector from the traditional academic and volunteering route. It combines a vocational award with one years work experience. Museums Galleries Scotland funded the creation of four Creative Apprenticeships in The Scottish Maritime Museum, The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, The Queens Own Highlanders Museum, West Dunbartonshire Council. All four apprentices completed the year long apprenticeship and gained the National Award in Cultural Heritage Operations Level 2 funded by Creative and Cultural Skills. CC SKills continue to fund the National Award in Cultural Heritage Operation for current staff.
Community Jobs Scotland and Future Jobs Fund
Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) is a partnership between the Scottish Government, SCVO and Social Enterprise Scotland that will create 2,000 work opportunities for unemployed individuals within a wide range of third sector organisations across Scotland including museums. Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Glasgow Print Studio, Grampian Transport Museum, Moray Arts Centre and Scottish Maritime Museum are some of the organisations offering opportunities.
In 2009 the Department of Work and Pensions created a £1billion Future Jobs Fund to support the creation of jobs for long term unemployed 18-24year olds. Museums Galleries Scotland was a member of the successful consortium bid led by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Thirteen members accessed the fund creating 58 new posts. Museums Galleries Scotland committed additional funding to support museums to develop the skills of the postholders and their supervisors and to help ensure a lasting impact to their organisations. The last posts started in September 2011.
Positive Action Traineeships
Museums Galleries Scotland supported the development of two positive action traineeship posts in partnership with Edinburgh City Council Museums, Glasgow Life, the Black Environment Network and St Andrew’s University. The traineeships ran for two years. The trainees gained on the job experience within a busy museums service whilst studying for a part-time Graduate Diploma/M.Litt in museum studies at St Andrews University. The aims of the traineeship were to make museum careers more accessible to people from under-represented minorities
Skills for the Future Internships
20 graduates started on 1-year internships in Scottish museums in early October, as participants in the Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) Interns Programme. The Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) Interns Programme is a one-off initiative, funded and delivered under the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Skills for the Future Programme
Third Sector Internships Scotland (TSIS)
TSIS helps students find paid work experience in the Third Sector. It is funded by the Scottish Funding Council and is being delivered by Queen Margaret University, The Open University in Scotland and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, with support from universities across Scotland. It aims to enhance student employability through increasing the availability of work placements. They are looking for organisations to provide internships which develop a student's skills and experience whilst contributing to the work of the organisation. Internships can be full or part time and last up to 250 hours (10 weeks full time). For more information or to register your interest contact TSIS.
If you are interested in any of these initiatives contact our Workforce Development Manager.