The National Archives

• Do you enjoy working with technology and digital systems at college, or at your job or voluntary work? • Are you looking for a challenging development opportunity with a digital focus? • Would you like supportive on-the-job training and to do real work in a rapidly developing area for the archive sector? The Bridging the Digital Gap programme aims to increase digital skills in archives by bringing new talent into the sector to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The National Archives is funding a traineeship at eight institutions in London and the South West, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. We are looking for eight talented technical people to use their skills, energy and digital confidence to help preserve history and find new ways for people to access and learn from that heritage. Archives are collections of records in all media that provide us a wealth of information about people, places and institutions. Archives allow us to explore our collective and individual identities and have an impact across society. It is crucial that they are preserved to keep the past alive for future generations. The archives of today are digital rather than on paper, and so this is an exciting time for people with technical skills to join the archives sector. Starting in January 2021, trainees will spend 15 months working on real-life projects, learning on the job and gaining valuable and rewarding work experience at their host institution. Trainees will also have access to specialist training and development workshops, covering digital capture, digital preservation, and digital access and engagement. Trainees will regularly meet up and share learning, either in person or online, while they develop key skills to prepare them for exciting careers in the heritage sector. Trainees will be employed by The National Archives and seconded to one of the following host archives for 15 months: E-Preservation West Consortium • Dorset History Centre • Gloucestershire Archives • South West Heritage Trust (Devon/Somerset) • Warwickshire County Record Office Social Advocacy Consortium • Amnesty International, International Secretariat • The Guardian Foundation • London School of Economics and Political Science • University of Bristol For more information about the Bridging the Digital Gap programme, go to nationalarchives.gov.uk/digitaltrainees Essential competences: • Interest in and experience with using digital technology • Good communication skills; comfortable with listening to, understanding and sharing information • Good people skills; enjoy working alongside and engaging other people • Good problem solving skills; able to identify problems and work with others to resolve them • Good organisational and time management skills   To submit an application, you must fulfil one of the following two essential criteria: 1. A level(s) or equivalent level 3 qualification(s) in science, maths, computing or other technical subject(s) (e.g., level 3 award, certificate, diploma, NVQ, etc.) 2. Demonstrable experience in using technical skills in the workplace or voluntary activity