Archaeology Apprenticeships

What is Archaeology?

If you have ever watched ‘Digging for Britain’ or ‘Time Team’, you will know that archaeologists do important work. The discoveries they make can be of national or international significance, uncovering artefacts of great beauty or evidence of historic settlements. For some findings, archaeologists can even change our view of human civilisation in the past.

Archaeology is an exciting career, and the construction industry needs skilled and knowledgeable archaeologists to conduct surveys before building work commences. You will ensure that any heritage assets on the land are preserved and documented. 95% of all new archaeological discoveries in the UK come through commercial land development, so there is plenty of work available.

Archaeologist clearing mud from artefacts in trench

How do archaeology apprenticeships work?

Archaeology apprenticeships are like any other construction apprenticeship. Apprentices study for 20% of their time, and they earn a wage while getting on-the-job experience and gaining a qualification recognised by the professional body, the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA).

Six heritage apprenticeship standards for archaeology have been developed, ranging from a Level 3 Archaeology Technician to a Level 7 Archaeological Specialist.

How long are archaeology apprenticeships?

The Level 3 Archaeology Technician programme takes between 12-18 months to complete. The Level 4 Historic Environment Advice Assistant apprenticeship lasts 24 months, while the Level 7 Archaeological Specialist programme takes between 36-54 months.

How much will I earn as an archaeological apprentice?

Apprentices have to be paid at least the national minimum or living wage, but your salary may be higher than this. It depends on the policy of the individual company or organisation you are apprenticed to.

Also, you are entitled to the minimum holiday allowance of at least 20 days per year plus Bank Holidays.

What types of archaeology apprenticeships are available?

In England, there is a range of heritage apprenticeships currently available. These programmes have been designed by leading employers in archaeology and conservation and ensure they develop skills in apprentices that employers need.

A Modern Apprenticeship framework for archaeology is in development in Scotland but is not yet available. There is a range of apprenticeships in heritage crafts and construction, such as heritage stonemasonry.

There are currently no Level 3 apprenticeships in archaeology in Wales. However, there are apprenticeships in similar fields, including cultural heritage management, project management and surveying. An archaeological specialist degree apprenticeship is offered by the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David.

What will you learn during an archaeology apprenticeship?

Apprentices on the Level 3 Archaeology Technician programme will learn a comprehensive range of skills and techniques enabling them to provide support for archaeological excavations, surveys and analysis of finds and sites.

Apprentices will learn how to:

Identify possible sites to study using aerial photography, field-walking and surveying
Take part in excavations or digs using specialist tools
Record finds and sites using photography, detailed notes and drawings
Identify, classify, clean and preserve finds
Use carbon-dating and other methods of archaeological science
Produce computer simulations of sites or artefacts
Check planning applications and identify the impact of development on archaeological sites
Classify, display and look after artefacts in a museum.

Qualifications required to become an archaeologist

The Level 3 Archaeology Technician apprenticeship usually requires five or more GCSE passes at grades 9-4 (A*-C), although as you move up the apprenticeship levels entry requirements become more demanding. Archaeology apprenticeships are only in their infancy, so most entrants to the profession follow an academic route and have an undergraduate degree in archaeology or a related subject. 2-3 A-Level passes are required for entrance onto degree courses at universities in England.

Archaeology apprenticeships are not yet offered in Scotland, but going to university and studying archaeology for a degree is a popular route into the industry. Universities in Scotland usually ask for 3 Scottish Highers at grade B,B and C or above as entry requirements.

As we have mentioned, there are currently no archaeology apprenticeships available in Wales, but entry to the profession is open in Wales to graduates with degrees in archaeology, history, geology, anthropology, a science subject or other related discipline. 2 or 3 A-Levels are required for entry onto degrees at Welsh universities.

Skills required to become an archaeologist

Ideally, an archaeological technician should have most, if not all, of the following skills:

Analytical thinking
Good numeracy
Excellent organisational abilities
An interest and knowledge of history, geography, sociology and anthropology
High attention to detail
Excellent verbal and communication skills
Be good with their hands – there is plenty of careful scraping, brushing and digging to be done!
Basic computer literacy and ability to use a hand-held device.

Each level of apprenticeship may require apprentices to work on construction sites, for which you will need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.

Future prospects and career progression

Qualified archaeology apprentices have plenty of choices and opportunities ahead of them. With a Level 3 technician apprenticeship, you could work as a site assistant or finds technician supporting a senior archaeologist at a major excavation.

As you build up your archaeological experience, you could gain further qualifications, such as through the CIfA professional pathways programme, or take higher-level apprenticeships. There will then be opportunities to progress to senior roles, become an expert in a particular field of archaeology, or work in academia.

How to apply for an archaeology apprenticeship

If you are interested in applying for an archaeology apprenticeship, you can apply to organisations such as Historic England and English Heritage, local authorities and construction companies. Look on the CIfA Jobs Information Service, or use the National Careers Service to search for vacancies. You will have to apply for any apprenticeship role, so will need to produce a CV, write a covering letter and attend an interview.

Find out more about the role of an archaeologist

You could:

Check out the Archaeologist job profile
Read this article: What lies beneath: heritage jobs in construction
Check out the Heritage consultant job profile

Where to find archaeology apprenticeships

Choose one of the below job posting sites to find archaeology apprenticeships in England, and related apprenticeships in Scotland and Wales.