Community Engagement Apprentice - Level 3

THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST OR NATURAL BEAUTY

Middlesbrough (TS7 9AS)

Closes in 14 days (Monday 23 March 2026)

Posted on 9 March 2026


Summary

Come and join us on a National Trust apprenticeship where we will support and develop you to play an integral part in our work to tackle climate change, protect historic sites and help people and nature thrive. You don’t need experience for this role, just loads of enthusiasm and a desire to learn.

Training course
Cultural learning and participation officer (level 3)
Hours
Fixed term, full-time (37.5 hours per week, for 18 months), shifts to be confirmed.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Visitor Experience team at Ormesby Hall, part of the National Trust. Uniquely positioned within urban Middlesbrough, Ormesby Hall offers a distinctive blend of heritage, programming and community engagement.

Over the next 12 months, the site will be at the heart of several ambitious projects, including the development of a multi-use trail through the Ormesby Hall estate and the Green Corridors project, connecting the River Tees to Roseberry Topping through green spaces.

This is a visitor-facing role offering hands-on experience in cultural programming and partnership working.

The successful apprentice will support the planning and delivery of events and activities and assist with event set-up and pack-down. The role also involves collaborating with other property departments to develop engaging programmes and help create meaningful and inclusive visitor experiences.

You will develop skills in planning, organising and delivering arts, culture and community engagement projects, coordinating events and activities, and communicating effectively with diverse audiences. 

This role is ideal for someone looking to build confidence, teamwork skills, and practical experience in the heritage and cultural sector. Some weekend and evening work will be required to support events and programming.

Where you'll work

Ormesby Hall
Ormesby
Middlesbrough
TS7 9AS

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

ACCESS FURTHER EDUCATION LIMITED

Training course

Cultural learning and participation officer (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Plan, organise and co-ordinate education and community engagement projects on behalf of the organisation, in order to ensure the facilitator (visiting artist or company colleague, freelancer or volunteer) can deliver effectively This could typically include deciding on appropriate content and information including producing event schedules, artist and technical riders, booking artists and practitioners.
  • Identify learning objectives of education and community engagement projects and suitability for target audience.
  • Work within a set budget, use appropriate resources, venues, systems and technologies to implement the CLP projects ensuring they meet stated objectives and outcomes.
  • Ensure projects comply with the organisation’s Health & Safety policies and procedures including Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively, adapting methods both verbal and non-verbal as appropriate to the stakeholder or audience, which may include public speaking and/or using social media and digital communication methods.
  • Communicate the CLP projects aims, which may include artistic or cultural outcomes, skills and knowledge development, or a range of social and educational outcomes to audiences, partners and colleagues.
  • Produce clear, concise project reports, fundraising applications and other written communications.
  • Find and participate in professional networks such as arts and culture networks, meetings and events, performances and exhibitions, training and professional development events and industry membership schemes, in order to benefit the organisation.
  • Establish, develop and maintain positive relationships with a wide variety of internal and external partners, artists, colleagues, participants and audiences that result in and/or enable successful projects.
  • Build effective professional arts and cultural networks and identify the benefits they bring to the projects and wider organisation.
  • Contribute and manage audience/participant/venue bookings and ensure artists/external practitioners are recruited for projects as per the organisation’s policies and procedures, including contracting requirements.
  • Maintain artist/external practitioner and audience records as directed, which may include personal information, in-line with employer systems and data protection requirements.
  • Have excellent time management skills, demonstrating your ability to be organised, meet deadlines within project timeframes and meet budgets requirements.
  • Evaluate projects and use feedback to improve current and/or future activity.
  • Provide high quality content, which may be in written or image form, as required, to internal/external communications for example e-bulletins, newsletter content, posters, print and meetings, to aid the promotion of, and engagement with, the organisation’s learning and participation programme.
  • Contribute to fundraising activities including desk research on potential funding sources, note taking at audience consultation meetings, compiling data and information.
  • Identify problems, generate and form ideas to resolve issues, by thinking creatively in response to challenges and identifying when to seek help and support from others.
  • Collaborate effectively with colleagues, creative and cultural professionals and other organisations and partners to achieve project aims and objectives.

Training schedule

Working alongside your mentor on tasks specific to your apprenticeship, you will develop the skills & knowledge relevant to the apprenticeship standard Cultural and Learning Participation Officer Level 3.

Your apprenticeship training will be delivered by a Learning Coach, with teaching and learning sessions held online, lots of on-the-job learning and support every day in the workplace.

You’ll attend regular review meetings and be accountable for your own progression. You’ll be required to complete mandatory e-learning, courses and training provided.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4/C)
  • Maths (grade 4/C)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working

Other requirements

We would love to hear from you if you meet the following eligibility criteria by the start date of the role:

  • A minimum of 5 GCSE’s which must include English and maths at grade C/4, functional skills level 2 or equivalent
  • (If you hold an EHCP, Entry Level 3 in English and maths is acceptable.)
  • Aged 16 or over and have completed year 11
  • Not in full time education
  • Have the right to work in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three consecutive years before starting the apprenticeship
  • Not currently on any other training or education programme (e.g. another apprenticeship or a degree) 
  • Able to travel to work location

If you are aged 18 or under at the point of enrolment and have not achieved English and maths at grade C/4, you may be enrolled on functional skills level 2 as part of your apprenticeship. 

If you have a qualification in the same or a related subject or have lots of relevant work experience this will mean you are not eligible for the apprenticeship.

About this employer

We protect and care for places so people and nature can thrive. We look after hundreds of houses and close to a million objects, along with vast areas of coastline, countryside and green spaces, for everyone’s benefit. With our staff, members, volunteers and supporters, we’re the biggest conservation charity in Europe. Everyone can get involved, everyone can make a difference.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

On successful completion you will have a Level 3 Cultural Learning and Participation Officer Advanced Apprenticeship, taking your first steps towards a future career in Community Engagement, Participation and Volunteering.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ACCESS FURTHER EDUCATION LIMITED

apprenticeships@nationaltrust.org.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000019813.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Monday 23 March 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.