Community Engagement Apprentice - Level 3
THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST OR NATURAL BEAUTY
Newcastle Upon Tyne (NE16 6BG)
Closes in 14 days (Monday 23 March 2026)
Posted on 9 March 2026
Contents
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.
- Wage
-
£26,024 a year
- Training course
- Cultural learning and participation officer (level 3)
- Hours
-
Fixed term, full-time , 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
- You will be based at Gibside which is part of the Derwent, Wear and Coast portfolio which also includes Souter Lighthouse and the Leas, Durham Coast, Crook Hall Gardens, Washington Old Hall and Penshaw Monument
- We are committed to working with partners and the communities around us to deliver positive impact. Providing opportunities for people to connect with us on their own terms
- You will be part of a focussed and motivated team working collaboratively with property teams and partners to engage communities and enable them to get involved and access our places
- You'll develop skills in planning, organising and delivering arts, culture and community engagement projects, coordinating events and activities, and communicating effectively with diverse audiences
Where you'll work
Gibside
Rowlands Gill
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE16 6BG
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.
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 VAC2000019900.
Apply now
Closes in 14 days (Monday 23 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.