Apprentice Archivist

The Collections and Curatorial team comprise the museum’s Media Heads, who are specialist curators that champion the management, interpretation, integrity and use of the respective parts of the IWM collection. We act as the most senior curatorial specialists in our areas and interact with many diverse teams across the organisation to provide expertise and assist with analysis of the collections. We provide support and guidance to specialist curators in the Narrative and Curatorial team, are responsible for the shape and strategic development of IWM’s collections in our media areas, and drive and support any associated public programme outputs.

This Apprentice Archivist role offers an opportunity to work with one of our Media Heads in learning the working practices of IWM while studying in conjunction with Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) for their Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager professional qualification. At IWM you will specialise in two areas – our Documents collection of historical papers and our Museum Archive of administrative records - although there will be many opportunities to work alongside the other media types in our care. You will also be allocated set time during the working week in order to attend classes and undertake study with WAES, which is undertaken on a modular basis over three years.

You will work closely with colleagues across the museum to ensure best practice standards and documentation, and may contribute to exhibitions, publications and other museum projects. In addition to your studies with WAES, there will also be opportunities to attend training courses in various aspects of museum practice both within IWM and externally, as well as attendance at professional conferences and other forums.


Your duties will include:

to apply to all areas of activity a cohesive understanding of archives and records management and how it relates to IWM’s work
support delivery of content for galleries and exhibitions as well as other public programme-related outputs
to always work as a team member, consulting with colleagues and sharing knowledge and information
to facilitate and support access to our collection, knowledge and skills to the public and to colleagues across IWM
To work with colleagues across IWM to support effective stewardship and care of the collection
Actively promote and implement IWM’s strategy for widening access, inclusion and diversity within the scope of the project
To keep up to date with changing technology to assist more efficient and effective working
Ensure familiarity with all the Museum's health and safety policies and procedures
This job description is not all encompassing. Over time the emphasis of the job may change without changing the general character of the job. Your duties may be reviewed from time to time and revised and updated in consultation with you to reflect appropriate changes.


Important Additional Apprenticeship Information for Applicants


Start Date

This position is available immediately and WAES teaching will commence on 20th October 2025.


The Apprenticeship

This is a Level 7 apprenticeship and full details of the qualification can be found on the WAES website: Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager - Westminster Adult Education Service. The apprenticeship consists of a three-year learning period followed by a six-month assessment period.


Application Eligibility and Interview

Candidates who hold any existing qualifications in archives or records management are not eligible to apply for this apprenticeship. The apprenticeship is intended as a route to learning and not purely as a means to a qualification.

Applicants must meet the essential criteria in the person specification.


Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will need to attend:

First stage interview will be with IWM and WAES. Interviews will be online in the week commencing 8th September.
Second stage interview with be with IWM. Interviews will be in person at IWM London and will include an opportunity to meet colleagues and see where you will work in the week commencing 15th September.


Apprenticeship Time

As an apprentice, you will spend a minimum of one day training/learning per week as part of your apprenticeship. The Level 7 apprentice will spend four days a week working at IWM, learning on the job, and one day a week doing off-the-job learning. During the off-the-job learning days, the apprentice will attend online and in-person training sessions (located in London) with Westminster Adult Education Service, complete independent learning or write about their work for their portfolio of evidence, which is used in the end-point assessment. You will be supported throughout the course with an allocated workplace mentor, WAES academic tutors and regular meetings with the apprenticeship mentor to support your learning and development.


Equality and Inclusion

IWM is looking to support applicants who have faced barriers to curatorial roles and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. ​We miss out when people feel IWM isn't for them and are committed to removing and reducing barriers to make IWM open to everyone. Our Access & Inclusion Strategy was created to transform the work that we do to ensure that anyone can access IWM and that staff, audiences and collections at our national museums reflect the diversity of our local communities, the nation as a whole and the Commonwealth. This involves changes across IWM to create an inclusive culture and through small, meaningful changes over time, access and inclusion will become embedded and part of business as usual. The full Access & Inclusion Strategy can be found here.


For a full list of duties and the person specification (which your application will be marked against) please view the Job Description on the IWM Jobs website.

Museum Website: https://www.iwm.org.uk/jobs