NVQs in Museum and Heritage Studies

Cultural Heritage National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) offer individuals and organisations a structured but flexible approach to training, development and career progression.

 The four qualifications are based on the day to day demands of working in the culture and heritage sector and have been developed by people working in museums, galleries, stately homes and other heritage sites throughout the country. They not only qualify people in their chosen profession but also help to improve the efficiency and skill levels of the candidate’s organisation. Routes are available for occupational groups such as curators, educators, conservators and front of house staff. There are also clear progression routes between the Qualifications.

 Achievement of the NVQ provides the opportunity for individuals to demonstrate that they work consistently to a national standard recognised by the sector. They also indicate that an organisation is committed to developing its staff and maintaining quality.

Level 2

This qualification gives warders, attendants, assistants, volunteers and part-time staff the opportunity to have their skills recognised and gives a thorough grounding in heritage and dealing with visitors.

To achieve this qualification candidates must complete units in the following subjects - provide general assistance to visitors, monitor the security and environment of items, implement emergency procedures to maintain the safety of people and items, contribute to the care of the premises and assist the work of colleagues in the organisation  and a choice of relevant optional units.

Level 3

The qualification allows individuals to begin to specialise and provides flexibility for career progression toward the Level 4 NVQ.

The candidate  must complete mandatory units relating to customer service, health and safety, and communication and personal development, a specialist route from a choice of conservation education and interpretation, curatorial and technical, and other units from a wide choice of relevant options.

Level 4

At this level there is a dedicated route for education and interpretation specialists. All candidates must complete a group of mandatory units covering research, project management, health and safety, communication and personal development, and financial management, a specialist route from a choice of conservation education and interpretation, and curatorial plus optional units from a selection relating to management or public relations functions (i.e implementing a business plan or developing a PR strategy).

Level 5

Managers place the conservation and preservation of the heritage at the centre of their work and this qualification has been designed to meet their specific needs and build on their general management skills.  All candidates must complete mandatory units covering business planning, representing the organisation to stakeholders and policy makers, securing funding, communication and personal development, health and safety, developing teams, decision making, financial management and developing a strategy for the organisation, and optional units from a selection which includes disaster planning, the control of health and safety risks, research, project management and public relations.