Organisation: The National Trust for Scotland
Salary: £27,976 pro‑ra, per annum
Location: 50 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9LD
JOB PURPOSE
The Collections Technician Apprentice is a new opportunity to gain hands‑on experience within the Collections Team, to support the activities of heritage specialists and learn skills in the technical framing and mounting of collections from Trust properties, ensuring they are cared for, preserved and documented to UK conservation standards.
Working alongside the Conservation Technician the apprentice will develop practical skills under the guidance of qualified practitioners, learning practical skills in order to contribute to the smooth running of the Conservation Workshop; this will include constructing and installing conservation framing & specialist mounting of 2‑D art to conservation standards, designing and manufacturing preventive conservation resources for use at properties, recording, photographing and archiving remedial applications for internal and external retrieval and research.
This role supports the maintenance of workshop tools, machinery, equipment and supplies at the Conservation Workshop and Collections Store; proactively communicating the importance of preventive conservation work with property teams and wider audiences. Time will be divided between workshop learning, maintenance of space and collections at the collections store and practical experience in historic properties.
The Apprentice will also study for a Modern Apprenticeship with Rewards Training. SQA Training Centre Museums Galleries Scotland will be the training provider for the duration of undertaking modules towards the qualification of Museums & Galleries Technician Modern Apprenticeship. This Modern Apprenticeship is funded by Skills Development Scotland, and we must adhere to their guidelines when hiring for this position.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
While working in the Conservation Workshop the apprentice will take direction from the Conservation Technician (or their manager), working alongside other Trust staff. The apprentice will have regular guidance and review from Rewards Training, the Trust’s apprenticeship provider, and Museums Galleries Scotland as the training centre.
The employment is for a fixed period of 18 months, subject to satisfactory progression on the course and acceptable performance and completion of SVQ Museums & Galleries Practice SCQF level 7.
Whilst studying towards your apprenticeship, with Museum Galleries Scotland as the centre provider you will be engaged in learning and supporting delivery of core NTS objectives whilst completing study of SVQ mandatory and optional units.
- Making frames, enclosures & specialist mounts for 2‑D art to current conservation standards, using conservation materials.
- Making bespoke museum‑grade mounts for 3‑D objects on open display (e.g. security mounts and plinths)
- Advising on and installing hanging systems for artworks, with an understanding of risk and display practices in historic properties.
- Developing an understanding of the use of conservation grade materials in framing, preventive conservation and basic remedial techniques relating to framed and mounted collections.
- Learning to maintain workshop equipment, including compliance with H&S and COSHH, risk assessments, and accurate record keeping of all remedial work, file management, collection database procedures and unique numbering/marking of framed works.
- Designing and producing sustainable resources and equipment for preventive conservation (e.g. pest management tools, light monitoring devices).
- Supporting the Conservation Technician to deliver technical conservation solutions for exhibitions, access and visitor experience.
- Contributing to public engagement activities, including “Conservation in Action,” and supporting heritage skills‑sharing opportunities.
- Sharing and developing technical conservation and heritage skills with others, NTS staff and through professional external networks.
- Building specialist technical knowledge in framing, mounting, and installation to support departmental succession planning.
- Assisting with materials ordering and stock control.
- Working in line with Trust Health & Safety guidelines, using appropriate PPE and safety equipment.
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