HLF's 'Skills for the Future' programme

[skier-hughes]

Saw this and thought it may be of interest to someone...

Training

Hundreds of paid heritage training places created
More than 800 new paid training opportunities are being created as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund's (HLF) 'Skills for the Future' programme. If you are interested in a career in heritage, find out more about work-based training in roles like digitising archives and conserving historic gardens.

The HLF's 'Skills for the Future' programme is creating 808 paid training opportunities for people across the UK seeking a career in heritage. As well as traditional conservation training, the programme aims to help people develop a variety of modern skills, such as managing volunteers and using social media to get people involved in heritage.

More information can be found on the Direct.gov website

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Thanks Graham.

Some really good projects in there, and great to see the HLF supporting this kind of training. Persoannly I quite fancy the Mid-Hants Railway scheme - learning to restore steam engines, etc, followed by some of the masonry and stone-walling.

http://www.hlf.org.uk/HowToApply/programmes/Pages/SkillsfortheFutureprojects.aspx

I wonder how successful they will be in filling all 800 places?

 

[JoceAndChris]

Mmm, lots I fancy. Not much near me, but interesting to read through nonetheless.

 

[Juju]

Yes they look very interesting but they're just for graduates/younger people? I'd be interested in the National Trust or Oxford ones but I'm far too old and qualified... Actually I'm finding that I'm gaining great experience for my career change by volunteering for the National Trust.

 

[JoceAndChris]

How exciting, Juju. What are you doing, or about to do?

 

[Juju]

Well, I'm trying to 'retrain' as a garden historian. I'm currently a university lecturer in management but I do have a Masters in History and have worked in an archive before so I have relevant/transferable experience and knowledge - but I can't face doing another Masters as I can teach myself the garden history knowledge to some extent. When you work as a lecturer, it's very hard doing courses as a student!! I've done one short course though and am contemplating whether to do more. I've been volunteering for the National Trust doing basic gardening duties but because of my background, the gardener has asked me to do garden tours (from tomorrow - the first ever tour at the property!) and working on the archives. So I've been very lucky to be in the right place at the right time! Not that I've seen any jobs whatsoever in garden history so it might be a silly idea but I do still have the security of my university job from which I'm working part-time.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Gosh you have been lucky. What an exciting change for you, and even if it doesn't lead to a job specifically in that area I'm sure it will be a fascinating journey of discovery. Do you remember Hatster? ISTR she did exactly the same, wonder how she's getting on.

So can you identify and date trees and garden structures, or is that nothing to do with it?

Good luck with the tour!

 

[Juju]

Well I survived my first tours - really enjoyed them and people seemed to appreciate them. I only know how to date trees and structures by looking at archives really and finding mention of them in planting, redesigns of gardens etc. Hopefully I'll get better with greater knowledge of when plants were introduced in the UK and in fashion.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Well, when you do, remember to come and tell us all!

And well done with the tour.

 

[skier-hughes]

congrats, must be quite a feeling of joy and relief !!