There will be a focus on people who may never have considered a career in the sector, from chances for young women to learn deer management to opportunities for non-graduates from areas of high unemployment to learn digital marketing skills.

Lucy Casot, Head of HLF in Scotland, said: “By pairing trainees with experts they gain access to specialist knowledge plus practical, paid, on-the-job experience. It’s simple yet highly effective but requires funding which we are delighted to provide.”

Future skills

This funding is part of a wider commitment made by HLF to address specific skills shortages to ensure historic buildings, landscapes, species, industrial heritage and museum and archive collections are sustained for the future, as well as developing important public engagement skills.

Minister for Employability and Training Jamie Hepburn said: “This £1.4million investment in training opportunities is welcome as it will address skills shortages and provide a boost to Scotland’s heritage."

Projects that have received HLF’s support include:

Skills for Success: Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) - £569,900

MGS will partner with the Prince's Trust to deliver 22 work-based traineeships across Scotland for non-graduates. Trainees will undertake a one-year work-based programme in host museums across Scotland and have access to bespoke training including collections management, public engagement and digital skills.

Skills for Rewilding: Trees for Life – £376,800

Over the next three years, 15 trainees from diverse backgrounds will develop the skills needed to work on large-scale natural heritage projects. Based at Trees for Life’s Dundreggan Conservation Estate, they will be taught skills in horticulture, native woodland and deer management. 

The Ethnic Minority Career Museum: Next Step Initiative - £496,200

Sixteen traineeships will enable minority, ethnic and cultural communities, currently under-represented in the heritage sector, to learn new skills. This will include conservation project management, collections handling and learning and outreach.