This apprenticeship standard has been approved for delivery by Skills England. However, starts on the apprenticeship will only be possible once a suitable end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) has obtained Ofqual recognition. Once the EPAO has obtained Ofqual recognition, funding for apprentice starts will be permitted and this message will be removed.
Contents
Contents
Apprenticeship summary
Overview of the role
Collections technicians are specialist practitioners who contribute to operational running of collections and exhibitions.
Occupation summary
Collections technicians are specialist practitioners who contribute to the conservation, preparation, planning, technical and operational running of collections and exhibitions.
Collections technicians can be found working across a wide range of specialist areas of practice including remedial and preventive conservation, exhibition preparation and execution, art handling, loans and transporting collections among many others.
Their work will vary depending upon the specific job role and institution. They are most likely to work in one of two specialist areas of practice:
Museum and gallery technician who will undertake work which may be focused on loans, exhibitions and storage of collections.
Conservation technician working under the supervision of trained conservator-restorers to undertake treatment to collections or implementing preventive conservation measures.
Roles could be in local or national heritage institutions such as a museum, gallery or archive service; as well in private sector organisations who are providing services to heritage institutions, or private owners or commercial organisations in the wider arts and cultural heritage sectors. In doing so they may work across a range of collections, such as in a historic property, or their work might be directed towards a particular type of object or collection such as books, sculpture or metals.
They also complete documentation associated with collections management, risk assessment and object handling. They must work within their organisation’s policies and procedures at all times and are responsible for ensuring that their tools and equipment are health, safety and security compliant.
Collections technicians may support wider organisational activities such as providing objects for learning sessions in a safe and responsible way, selecting and handling objects for external clients, showing others how to safely handle objects, or accompanying visitors and or clients to object stores.
Collections care technicians may be expected to work with conservators, curators, artists, scientists, contractors, art handlers, and exhibition managers. They may be expected to accompany, sometimes alone, the transit of objects, nationally and internationally, and work both independently and as part of a team.
Typical job titles include:
Art handler
Collections conservation technician
Conservation science technician
Conservation technician
Curatorial assistant
Exhibition technician
Museums assistant
Specialist conservation technician
End-point assessment summary
ST1469, collections technician level 3
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
What is an end-point assessment and why it happens
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 18 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
- fail
- pass
- merit
- distinction
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
EPA gateway
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
- achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
- for the professional discussion underpinned with a portfolio, you must submit a portfolio of evidence
- for the presentation with questioning , the project's title and scope must be agreed with the EPAO and a project summary submitted
Assessment methods
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 10 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
Presentation with questions
You will produce and deliver a presentation to an independent assessor. You must submit your presentation slides and any supporting materials to the EPAO by the end of week 4 of the EPA period. The presentation and questions will last at least 60 minutes. The independent assessor will ask you at least 6 questions.
Who to contact for help or more information
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
Version log
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 23/06/2025 | Not set |
Crown copyright © 2025. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence