We offer a range of high quality apprentice and intern opportunities that provide valuable opportunities to develop knowledge, skill and experience (and, for apprentices, a qualification) in a real and exciting working environment. These programmes can also give insight into particular careers and the chance to see behind the scenes of these historic places.
Our apprentice programmes are typically of one to three years duration, and consist of a standard programme of work experience and learning, together with “off the job” learning/education, leading to a nationally recognised qualification. All our apprentices are paid at least the London Living Wage (currently £8.30 per hour). We currently have apprentice programmes in Gardens and Estates, Frontline Visitor Services, IT and Education.
Our paid intern programmes are typically of 3 to 6 months duration, and consist of a structured programme of work experience and learning. We also offer a small number of shorter and unpaid programmes of less than 3 months. We currently have paid intern programmes in Retail, Conservation, Curatorial, Marketing/PR, and HR. All our interns (on programmes of over 3 months) are paid at the London Living Wage.
Here are a couple of stories
Apprentice story
I’m Dan Hawkins and I was a Creative Apprentices, spending 12 months on my apprenticeship, rotating through various frontline visitor service departments at the Tower of London, and attending college in order to gain the National Award in Cultural and Heritage Venue operations and the Certificate in Creative and Cultural Practice.
The overall Creative Apprenticeship programme is designed especially for our sector, and helps people like me, aged 16 or over, to start and/or develop their cultural/heritage careers by building practical skills and abilities, and gain a nationally recognised qualification, whilst being paid a salary for the duration of the programme.
I was based at the Tower of London, and the whole programme has given me valuable work experience and skills in customer service, storytelling, retail sales and planning & organising functions and events. My role was to provide a five star welcome and exceptional customer service to our visitors. I also provided information on promotions and tours; helped to tell palace stories; assisted in selling tickets and guide books; dealt with enquiries; helped customers select retail purchases; took payment for goods and ensured the professional maintenance of our shop displays.
I am staying with HRP having secured a role in Warding at the Tower.
Intern story
One of the fantastic things about my internship at Kensington Palace is the staggering variety of work I get to participate in. This month I helped organise the transfer of three new acquisitions from London Transport Museum's poster collection. I was lucky enough to be involved in every stage of the process from our initial expression of interest in the objects, to accessioning them into the collection. This also involved a lovely, sunny afternoon trip to LTM's imposing Acton depot to collect the posters in person.
The three new acquisitions, all from the 1930's, feature the kind of bold, simple designs typical of London Underground posters of this period, and all have strong links to significant figures associated with Kensington Palace.
It is this kind of practical experience, following objects through their various journeys within the museum environment, that makes the HRP internship such an invaluable part of my professional training. These three objects may not be the most glamorous acquisitions to enter the Palace, but as the first objects I have ever personally accessioned they will always be very special to me.
Are you interested?
HRP is committed to building an organisation that truly values the differences in people. We are an equal opportunities employer and truly value a diverse workforce. Applications are welcome from candidates regardless of their background and we particularly encourage applicants from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) candidates, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.
