Our workforce development strategy
In 2017, The National Archives engaged the independent research consultancy Pye Tait to carry out an extensive evaluation of the archive sector using roundtables, phone interviews and a national online workforce survey.
Pye Tait used their findings to develop a new strategy, which was further developed with the support of the Archives Unlocked Board. The strategy contains 21 tactical goals that support five strategic objectives and are all connected by one overarching objective:
To develop capacity in the archives workforce to deliver sustainable, resilient and forward-thinking archive services that foster trust, enrichment and openness by reflecting the communities they serve, meeting their needs and engaging with wider society.
Read the Archive Sector Workforce Development Strategy (PDF, 1.3MB)
Read the Workforce Development Delivery Plan (PDF, 0.21MB)
Workforce mapping surveys
The UK Information Workforce Data Consortium includes a variety of organisations including The National Archives, the Archives & Records Association (ARA), and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). In 2023, the consortium published the results of its latest workforce mapping survey of the library, archives, records, information and knowledge sectors.
The survey was funded by the organisations within the consortium. All the partners have an ambition to support their professional workforces, hence the need for access to up-to-date and accurate data. Key findings of the 2023 mapping report, which was commissioned by the consortium from research specialists Kinetiq and the Local Government Association, include:
- A predominantly female workforce – women comprise 75% of respondents
- A highly experienced workforce – 40% have more than 20 years professional experience
- Significant pay disparity – 30% earn less than £22,000 per year, 20% earn more than £40,000 per year
- Extensive insights into employee satisfaction in the workforce
- Evidence relating to Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and pay equality
Read the findings from the Workforce Mapping Survey 2023
The ARA and CILIP also commissioned an extensive survey of the UK information sector workforce in 2015. You can download the resulting report, which identified key areas in which the workforce was not representative of the UK population and highlighted key areas for action.
Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager apprenticeships
We led on developing the Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager apprenticeships but the process has been the culmination of five years’ collaboration across the sector. An apprenticeship needs three key things before launching: a standard, an end-point assessment organisation and a training provider. In 2021, the apprenticeship trailblazer group, made up of representatives from across the sector, finalised the Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager apprenticeship standard. The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) then approved this standard, which lists the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) that an apprentice needs to demonstrate to complete the apprenticeship.
In 2022, we commissioned CILIP Pathways to develop the end-point assessor organisation process and we worked closely with them to develop guidance for assessors, employers and apprentices. In February 2023, we announced Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) as the first training provider for the Level 7 apprenticeships. WAES developed the curriculum for the formal training, based on the KSBs listed in the apprenticeship standard. In October 2023, the apprenticeships were launched.
Discover Creative Careers programme
The National Archives is part of the Discover Creative Careers programme, which informs and inspires young people about careers in the creative and cultural industries. The programme aims to showcase creative careers unknown to many and to explain what skills and qualifications they need to succeed in those careers when they leave school.
With over £1million invested from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and additional support from Arts Council England, the 2023 – 2025 programme aims to reach young people from 77 target areas across England to pursue a career in the creative industries.
Funding supports the delivery of a hybrid programme of activities and resources, informing young people directly about the opportunities in this world-leading sector. It offers meaningful encounters with industry professionals, online tools, training and support for teachers, parents, guardians, careers professionals and employers.
Find out more about Discover Creative Careers
Past initiatives
Bridging the Digital Gap
The Bridging the Digital Gap programme increased digital skills in archives by bringing in new people from different backgrounds to create a more diverse, inclusive, and skilled workforce. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the programme offered three rounds of eight traineeships between 2018 and 2022.
Trainees were employed by The National Archives and seconded to a host archive in Yorkshire, Norfolk, London or the South West for their 15-month training placement. Through these paid traineeships, talented technical people used their skills, energy and digital confidence to help preserve history and find new ways for other people to access and learn from that heritage. Many of the trainees still work in the archive and heritage sectors.
Transforming Archives
The Transforming Archives programme was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Skills for the Future programme. The project provided 37 paid traineeships for people new to the sector between 2014 and 2017 in England. The year-long traineeships provided an introduction to archives, training and on-the-job development. Our trainees were hosted by a range of archive services, who invested time and resources to share their knowledge and expertise, whilst providing our trainees with an exciting start in the archive sector.