Apprenticeship training course

Collections technician (level 3)

There are 2 training providers who offer this course.

Information about Collections technician (level 3)

Collections technicians are specialist practitioners who contribute to operational running of collections and exhibitions.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Audience demographics, their make-up and their impact on the organisation.
  • Materials, structure and context of objects in their area of practice.
  • Tools and equipment needed in their area of practice.
  • Statutory and sectoral quality and policy standards within own area of work.
  • Principles behind the care of objects and the impact of this on decision making.
  • Cultural, historic, and spiritual context of objects and structures and how to operate within these ethical frameworks.
  • Principles behind the safe handling and movement of objects and collections.
  • Sources of information required to fully assess options and strategies.
  • Factors to be considered when estimating the time and resources required to complete a task.
  • Legal requirements and obligations relating to health and safety and the organisation’s associated policies and procedures.
  • Organisation's process for identifying and managing risk, including documentation requirements.
  • Security issues impacting cultural institutions.
  • Organisation’s disaster and emergency response systems, associated policies and procedures and the role that they play within this.
  • Record keeping and data management procedures and the impact of this on other areas of work.
  • The 10 agents of deterioration and how these impact collections care.
  • Environmental conditions for the objects and collections under their care.
  • Wider heritage sector, improved sustainable practice and how this is being implemented in their organisation.
  • Personal development plans, incorporating Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Result-orientated and Time-bound objectives to develop personal organisation skills in line with the organisation's goals and deadlines.
  • Methods and approaches for communicating with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Strategies for widening access, inclusion and diversity related to area of work.
  • The materials for use to support display, packing, storage and in-transit design.
  • Guidelines and documentation for transporting objects using a range of transportation methods to meet courier requirements for loans and touring exhibitions.
  • The documentation associated with the entry and exit of objects, such as works on loan, acquisitions or objects left for identification by the public.
  • Guidelines for loans such as those provided by the UK Registrars Group and internal policies, where applicable and the need for compliance with these.
  • Audience demographics, their make-up and their impact on the organisation.
  • Materials, structure and context of objects in their area of practice.
  • Tools and equipment needed in their area of practice.
  • Statutory and sectoral quality and policy standards within own area of work.
  • Principles behind the care of objects and the impact of this on decision making.
  • Cultural, historic, and spiritual context of objects and structures and how to operate within these ethical frameworks.
  • Principles behind the safe handling and movement of objects and collections.
  • Sources of information required to fully assess options and strategies.
  • Factors to be considered when estimating the time and resources required to complete a task.
  • Legal requirements and obligations relating to health and safety and the organisation’s associated policies and procedures.
  • Organisation's process for identifying and managing risk, including documentation requirements.
  • Security issues impacting cultural institutions.
  • Organisation’s disaster and emergency response systems, associated policies and procedures and the role that they play within this.
  • Record keeping and data management procedures and the impact of this on other areas of work.
  • The 10 agents of deterioration and how these impact collections care.
  • Environmental conditions for the objects and collections under their care.
  • Wider heritage sector, improved sustainable practice and how this is being implemented in their organisation.
  • Personal development plans, incorporating Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Result-orientated and Time-bound objectives to develop personal organisation skills in line with the organisation's goals and deadlines.
  • Methods and approaches for communicating with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Strategies for widening access, inclusion and diversity related to area of work.
  • Wider heritage contexts in which conservation is carried out and how conservation practices can affect one another.
  • Interventive conservation measures related to area of practice.
  • Preventive conservation measures related to area of practice.
  • Advances in the body of knowledge and conservation practice for the specific field including use of artificial intelligence.

  Skills

  • Assess condition, stability and possible risks to an object in relation its location or intended use.
  • Identify and minimise challenges in environmental and biological conditions related to objects and or collections.
  • Select tools and equipment related to the specific task.
  • Assist with the identification of faults and maintenance of tools and equipment.
  • Undertake safe handling and movement of objects considering the physical safety of themself and others.
  • Carry out planned reviews to enable improvements to storage and display areas.
  • Keep storage areas and associated workspaces clean and tidy in line with policies and procedures.
  • Assist with object collections following care procedures.
  • Handle objects in a way that minimises risk to the object in line with organisations and sector guidelines.
  • Identify and select viable options before making decisions as to the final agreed approach.
  • Carry out procedures for assessment management and mitigation of risk.
  • Complete and maintain records and databases in line with organisational standards.
  • Document and report information about the condition of objects as per the organisation’s policies and procedures and industry guidelines.
  • Undertake and report on tasks within agreed timeframes and budgets and in line with curatorial and or collections care requirements.
  • Undertake work in a way that takes into account the specific security requirements of objects and collections.
  • Adapt communication to meet the needs of the audience, for example, internal and external stakeholders.
  • Develop a personal professional development plan linked to personal and professional development needs.
  • Contribute to designing, preparing, and building containers, fixings, supports and packing for objects based on their specifications.
  • Identify the materials needed to make displays, mounts, cases and commissions in line with budget constraints and resources.
  • Undertake object installation and de-installation in line with agreed plans, health and safety procedures and deadlines
  • Assess condition, stability and possible risks to an object in relation its location or intended use.
  • Identify and minimise challenges in environmental and biological conditions related to objects and or collections.
  • Select tools and equipment related to the specific task.
  • Assist with the identification of faults and maintenance of tools and equipment.
  • Undertake safe handling and movement of objects considering the physical safety of themself and others.
  • Carry out planned reviews to enable improvements to storage and display areas.
  • Keep storage areas and associated workspaces clean and tidy in line with policies and procedures.
  • Assist with object collections following care procedures.
  • Handle objects in a way that minimises risk to the object in line with organisations and sector guidelines.
  • Identify and select viable options before making decisions as to the final agreed approach.
  • Carry out procedures for assessment management and mitigation of risk.
  • Complete and maintain records and databases in line with organisational standards.
  • Document and report information about the condition of objects as per the organisation’s policies and procedures and industry guidelines.
  • Undertake and report on tasks within agreed timeframes and budgets and in line with curatorial and or collections care requirements.
  • Undertake work in a way that takes into account the specific security requirements of objects and collections.
  • Adapt communication to meet the needs of the audience, for example, internal and external stakeholders.
  • Develop a personal professional development plan linked to personal and professional development needs.
  • Select methods and materials to suit the object and the work to be carried out, in consultation with conservators and specialists.
  • Carry out interventive or preventive conservation measures in agreement with supervisor.

  Behaviours

  • Keeps up to date with industry best practice and seeks to continuously improve and develop.
  • Take personal responsibility for sustainable outcomes in how they carry out the duties of their role by reference to environmental good practice.
  • Take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
  • Acts in a professional and ethical manner, embracing equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
  • Operate within the limits of own responsibility and seek support when required.
  • Keeps up to date with industry best practice and seeks to continuously improve and develop.
  • Take personal responsibility for sustainable outcomes in how they carry out the duties of their role by reference to environmental good practice.
  • Take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
  • Acts in a professional and ethical manner, embracing equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
  • Operate within the limits of own responsibility and seek support when required.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Creative and design
• Qualification level: 3; Equal to A level
• Course duration: 18 months
• Funding: £13,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.

View more information about Collections technician (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.