Museum Assistant Apprentice

THE LONG SHOP MUSEUM

SUFFOLK (IP16 4ES)

Closes on Friday 17 April 2026

Posted on 16 February 2026

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Summary

An opportunity to experience the museum sector and learn on the job. Working as our Museum Assistant you will be involved in a number of different areas, from greeting and guiding visitors, to cleaning and conserving objects, whilst ensuring visitors enjoy an engaging, inspiring, and rewarding experience.

• Wage:

  £14,722.50 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  After completion of apprenticeship, pay will be the National Living Wage

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: Working across five days from six each week; Monday – Saturday. 09:00 – 17:00 with 30 minutes for lunch. Approximately six Sundays per year (special events) are required and are compensated for with time off in lieu (TOIL).

  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

• Support all museum operations and activities to ensure visitors enjoy the best possible experience during their visit to the museum
• Support the care of the collections, the buildings and grounds of the museum
• Support volunteers with Front of House, school and group visits, and conservation activities. Support health and safety and site security procedures as part of the museum team
• Supporting the Museum Director and Engagement Manager (senior staff)
• To open and close the Museum, when required, and prepare it each day for the arrival of visitors
• Assist in ensuring that the museum is always clean, safe, and welcoming for visitors
• Assist in the operation of reception, shop, and cafe, including retail sales, stock management, and cash handling
• Assist with community events and education programmes, including supporting the delivery of events and activity sessions, group and school visits, and meetings and functions
• Assist with the construction and installation of permanent exhibitions, and with the set up and dismantling of temporary exhibitions
• Assist with the care and management of the museum’s collections
• Assist with the maintenance of the museum’s displays, buildings, and grounds
• To assist with administrative tasks such as preparing volunteer rotas, recording volunteer hours, and recording Object Entry details
• Ensure volunteers feel valued by the organisation
• Guide and assist volunteers in ensuring the safe use and operation of the Museum
• When safe and practicable, assist volunteers in their work when requested
• Work with volunteers and staff to improve the experience of all visitors, including provision of relevant information and assistance when requested
• Support the Front of House Team by tending reception (ticket sales and shop) when required
• Promote effective communication between volunteers and visitors
• Provide assistance and information for visitors, demonstrate exhibits where required
• Deal with telephone and in-person enquiries, answering these where information is available and/or taking details/messages to pass on to colleagues where appropriate
• To support staff and volunteers in running museum events. These can take place outside of normal opening hours and at weekends. Some flexibility in working hours is expected
• In case of an emergency, to support the safe evacuation of the Museum, in accordance with the Museum’s procedures
• Contact senior staff in the event of concern or uncertainty regarding the safety or security of the Museum, volunteers or members of the public

Where you'll work

15 MAIN STREET
LEISTON
SUFFOLK
IP16 4ES

Training

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

Training provider

SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
• Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
• Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
• Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
• Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
• Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
• Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Training schedule

• Business Administrator Standard Level 3
• English and maths (if required) Level 2

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• any two additional subjects (grade 4/C)
• English or equivalent (grade 4/C)
• Mathematics or equivalent (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
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Team working
• Patience
• Cash handling
• Willingness to learn

About this employer

The Long Shop Museum (LSM) is a small independent industrial heritage museum. The museum is Accredited by Arts Council England. The museum is housed in the remaining buildings of the Richard Garrett Engineering Works in Leiston, and tells the story of how what happened at the Works shaped the town, the surrounding county, and the world. The museum employs 3FTE staff (including this role), and the museum’s activities are delivered, in large part, by a cohort of approximately 60 volunteers.

https://www.longshopmuseum.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

• This apprenticeship offers an opportunity to enter the sector without the need for a university degree. At the end of the apprenticeship you will have a permanent position at the museum that will pay at least the current national living wage
• The hands on, and vocational learning that you will have completed will give you the chance to take the skills to other areas of the heritage and culture sector, or to other sectors that require customer service and management skills

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014758.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 17 April 2026