Cultural Heritage: conservation and restoration of the built environment, museums and galleries, preservation of archaeological sites, the running of visitor centres, museums and historic buildings, the maintenance of historic gardens
Cultural heritage organisations are mainly non profit-making and open to the public. In the UK, many are recognised as amongst the best in the world.
- There are 53,810 people working in cultural heritage
- Cultural heritage in England contributes £883m to the UK economy
- There is a small majority of female workers in the industry (54%)
- 95% of the cultural heritage workforce are white
- 80% of cultural heritage businesses are found in England.
The skills gaps
Leadership and management skills are in demand: including advocacy, fundraising and strategic planning.
There is a shortage of education and interpretation skills: focusing on communication and public engagement.
Technical skills: this covers a broad range of skills in conservation, collection care, collection development and archaeology. However, it is not enough to simply be a specialist, skills associated with communication, education and public engagement are also required for effective working.
Partnership Working: cross sector working and organisational collaboration is seen as vital in ensuring the success of the industry.
Getting into Cultural Heritage
Cultural heritage is heavily funded by the public sector and is well served by higher educational courses. However, many of these qualifications are not approved by employers. Relevant work experience is a key requirement for many jobs and a culture of unpaid volunteering exists. This is contributing to a lack of diversity of people coming into the sector.
Creative Apprenticeships
The Creative Apprenticeship is creating a new and alternative route into the creative industries; one based on ability and potential rather than academic track record or social background and contacts.
Getting a job should be about what you know not who you know!
Creative Choices°
Creative Choices° is the first online service to provide the tools, knowledge and networks to support every individual and business to get in, and get on, in the creative industries and cultural sector.
Creative Blueprint
Our research underpins everything we do. You can't develop practical solutions without knowing where the gaps are. The Creative Blueprint identifies workforce skills needed today and tomorrow.
For further information on this sector visit:
Arts Council
Association of Independent Museums
Collections Link
English Heritage
Historic Houses Association
Institute of Conservation
Institute of Field Archaeologists
Institute of Historic Buildings Conservation
Museums Association
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
National Preservation Office
National Trust (England, Ireland, Wales)
National Trust (Scotland)
Royal Palaces
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
Society of Archivists