Museum Assistant Apprentice

Epping Forest District Museum CIO

Loughton, Waltham Abbey, WALTHAM ABBEY

Closes in 31 days (Monday 23 November 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 22 October 2026

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Summary

An exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the heritage sector while working towards a recognised qualification. As Museum Assistant Apprentice, you will support visitor services, events, learning activities, marketing, administration and collections care, developing practical skills across museum operations.

Wage

£15,392 to £24,454.04, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Working across five days, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm, with a daily unpaid lunch break of one hour. Occasional weekend and evening work.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 18 January 2027

Duration

1 year 9 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

Key responsibilities will include:

  • Supporting the day-to-day operation of the museum to ensure visitors enjoy a welcoming, engaging and rewarding experience.
  • Assisting with visitor reception, ticket sales, retail transactions, and general enquiries.
  • Providing information and assistance to visitors and helping to interpret museum displays and exhibitions.
  • Supporting the care, documentation and management of the museum's collections.
  • Assisting with object handling, condition checking, cleaning, packing and preventative conservation activities under supervision.
  • Supporting the installation, maintenance and removal of temporary exhibitions and displays.
  • Assisting with community events, family activities, talks, workshops, school visits and outreach projects.
  • Working alongside volunteers and helping to ensure they feel supported and valued.
  • Assisting with volunteer administration, including recording volunteer hours and preparing rotas when required.
  • Supporting collections management activities, including cataloguing, photography, object entry procedures, and database updates.
  • Assisting with the maintenance of museum stores, displays and public spaces to ensure they remain safe and presentable.
  • Helping to open and close the museum and prepare galleries and public areas for visitors.
  • Answering telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries and directing more complex enquiries to appropriate staff members.
  • Supporting administrative tasks associated with the museum's day-to-day operation.
  • Following museum policies and procedures relating to health and safety, security, collections care and visitor services.
  • Assisting staff and volunteers during special events, some of which may take place outside normal opening hours.
  • Supporting the safe evacuation of the museum in the event of an emergency and reporting any concerns relating to the safety or security of the museum, collections, volunteers or visitors.
  • Assisting with the museum's marketing and communications, including social media, website content, promotional materials and event publicity.
  • Supporting the administration of museum projects and grant-funded programmes.
  • Assisting with data collection, visitor surveys, audience evaluation and reporting.
  • Maintaining accurate digital and paper records in accordance with museum procedures.
  • Supporting meeting administration, including preparing agendas, papers, notes and action lists where required.
  • Assisting with financial administration, including recording purchases, processing invoices, stock monitoring and cash reconciliation.
  • Supporting volunteer recruitment, induction and record keeping.
  • Assisting with bookings and administration for events, talks, school visits and community activities.
  • Supporting archive cataloguing and records management projects undertaken in partnership with local heritage organisations.
  • Assisting with research and information requests from members of the public, researchers and partner organisations.

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

  • Borders Lane, Loughton, IG10 3SA
  • Waltham Abbey Church, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1DG
  • 39-41 SUN STREET, WALTHAM ABBEY, EN9 1EL

Training

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

Training provider

NEW CITY 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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English Language (grade Grade 4/C or above)
  • Mathematics (grade Grade 4/C or above)

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
  • Administrative skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Patience

Other requirements

The successful applicant must be able to travel independently to Epping Forest District Museum, New City College (Loughton) and local heritage partner sites as required. A full driving licence would be advantageous but is not essential.

Desirable 

  • GCSEs or equivalent qualifications in History, Geography, Science, Art, Business Studies, Media Studies, or another relevant subject.
  • An interest in museums, local history, heritage, culture, archives, or collections.
  • Experience of volunteering, customer service, retail, community engagement, or working with the public.
  • An interest in museums, local history, heritage, culture, archives, or collections.
  • Experience of volunteering, customer service, retail, community engagement, or working with the public.
  • We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who live, work, study, or have a strong connection to the Epping Forest District of Essex and have an interest in its history, heritage, and communities.

About this employer

Epping Forest District Museum CIO is an independent, accredited museum and registered charity based in Waltham Abbey, Essex. The museum collects, preserves and shares the history, archaeology and heritage of Epping Forest District through exhibitions, events, learning programmes and community engagement activities. Working with volunteers, schools, community groups and heritage partners, the museum welcomes thousands of visitors each year and provides opportunities for people to explore and enjoy local history and culture.

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

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Successful completion of the apprenticeship could lead to a range of administration and business support roles within the museum, heritage and cultural sectors, as well as progression to higher-level apprenticeships and professional development opportunities.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Epping Forest District Museum CIO

Ian Channell

idchannell@efdmuseum.org.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000060635.

Apply now

Closes in 31 days (Monday 23 November 2026 at 11:59pm)