A career in cultural heritage...

The legacy of past generations handed down to today's society is known as cultural heritage. It can include physical structures like buildings, collections and landscapes or less tangible attributes such as language, customs and myths.

Careers in cultural heritage generally involve working at museums, arts galleries with historic collections, heritage buildings or landscapes. Archaeologists and conservationists also come under the sector, which, according to Creative and Cultural Skills, contributes more than £1 billion to the UK economy.

The cultural heritage industry

Mainly funded by grants from the public sector, primarily from the Arts Council, the sector is dependent on outside investment for its functioning. The Heritage Lottery Fund is another big funder to the creative heritage industry – it has awarded more than £4.3 billion to local and national heritage projects since its inception in 1994.

Figures from the Museums Association  (MA) suggest that there are between 2,000 and 2,500 museums around the UK, depending on what is included. There are just under 1,900 museums accredited by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).

The aim of the cultural heritage industry focuses on how it can interpret objects and make them relevant for audiences, placing itself at the very heart of communities. People with careers in cultural heritage are responsible for making collections accessible to society in a way people will enjoy and appreciate.

Entering the cultural heritage sector

Professional qualifications are held by a number of people working in museums and galleries, especially if they are in a management role. There are several universities offering these courses to prepare students for these positions.

Many people wishing to enter the sector take up these qualifications and then do unpaid voluntary work to gain experience. Most museums offer voluntary placements to people interested in cultural heritage careers. Volunteers work in all areas and departments, from exhibitions to front-of-house.

Employers look for a number of qualities in candidates, apart from qualifications and relevant experience. The most important characteristic needed for a career in cultural heritage is a real interest and passion in the sector.

Other key skills that will stand candidates in good stead are team working abilities, public service ethos, strong communication skills, confidence in customer-facing environments and an understanding of museums' position within society.

Working in cultural heritage

Careers in museums and galleries are very rewarding and suitable to people interested in arts, cultural heritage and history. However, one drawback is that it is not a very well-paid career choice.

MA research showed that salaries for trainee museum workers range from £16,000 to £19,000 per annum and increases to £19,500-£23,500 for those who have professional or postgraduate qualifications.

According to Mark Taylor, director of the MA, 'many people with high levels of skill and dedication already work in museums or are interested in a museum career  … but too many of them are demotivated or even driven away by money  or more precisely the lack of it'.

However, steps are being taken in the industry to tackle this issue. One is the publication of salary guidelines from the MA which are aimed at providing information on how to set pay for people working in museums and galleries.

Carole Souter, director of the Heritage Lottery Fund, says: 'The MA salary guidelines will be of immediate practical help to everyone in museums and galleries planning new posts within a capital or activity project.'

Cultural heritage.. something for everyone

An interesting aspect of working in cultural heritage is that it is not only for curators and researchers. There are many different roles in the sector such as positions for teachers, technicians, designers and fundraisers.

Galleries, museums, heritage sites and other historic venues are located across the UK in almost every county so working in the sector is flexible as people can work practically anywhere in the country.

There are both public-facing and back office roles in the sector, meaning people can choose which aspect of the industry better suits their interests and personality.