Pupils Explore Heritage Careers

An event to showcase the variety of careers connected to the Heritage sector was held at Kirkwall Grammar School recently as part of Heritage Careers Week.
 
Heritage Careers Week is an annual week of activity held in October, which aims to raise awareness of the variety of heritage careers and pathways into the workforce.  It also aims to inspire young people to consider a career in the historic environment.

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​Targeted to S3 pupils who are studying History, the event included Tour Guides, Museums in Orkney, the Orkney Library and Archive, Historic Environment Scotland and UHI Orkney’s Archaeology Institute.  Exhibitors spoke to pupils about their own journey into their current role, explained the variety of careers available in their organisation and how qualifications and the pupils’ individual interests could help them undertake a career in the heritage sector in the future.
 
Pupils also had a chance to look at artefacts and equipment used in the various organisations.
 
The Museums’ team took along some exhibits including a Ba’, which is one of two won by a woman and, sensory packs which were created by Stromness Museum to help bring their displays to life.  There was also a chance to learn about the digital careers available in local museums.  Orkney Library and Archive brought along some examples of the materials they hold including audio clips, photographs, local newspapers, and other historical documents such as maps and census documents.
 
Historic Environment Scotland spoke about the career opportunities with their organisation including the Ranger Service, Visitor Operations and Conservation Unit.  A Stonemason from their Conservation Unit was also able to speak about the apprenticeship opportunities with the organisation.
 
As well as giving an insight into their day-to-day role, the Orkney Tour Guides and Archaeology Institute spoke about the opportunities to study and gain qualifications in these areas through UHI Orkney.
 
Developing the Young Workforce Orkney worked in partnership with the school’s Social Subjects Department and Orkney Museums, to develop the event.
 
Ellen Pesci, Curator (Social History) at Orkney Museums, said:  “We were delighted to work with Developing the Young Workforce Orkney to put on the Heritage Careers event.  Careers in the heritage sector are varied and can include everything from public facing roles as guides and visitor services, to archaeologists who uncover our history to curators and archivists who record, maintain and collect the artefacts to stonemasons who work to preserve historic buildings.
 
“We hope the pupils who came along to the event learnt more about the opportunities that are available in the sector and would consider working in Heritage in the future.”
 
Principal Teacher for Social Subjects, Samara Hoggan-Nisbet added:  “This event was an excellent chance for pupils to learn more about where an interest and qualification in History could take them after school.  The exhibitors provided an interesting and informative array of information, bringing to life the wide variety of opportunities that exist in Orkney.  Pupils engaged well with the event, gaining an insight into some of the roles that preserve and promote Orkney’s history.”
 
We would like to thank all of the exhibitors who took part in the Heritage Careers event.