So you wanna work in the heritage industry?

Heritage tourism is a growth industry in Wales, but how do you get to work in it?

I own a Tudor mansion, so can I open it to the public?
The short answer is ‘yes’. All you need is something people will queue up to see, public liability insurance, a health and safety certificate from your local authority (See The Good Life), a sound business plan, and a good nose for publicity.

But I live in a semi in Bargoed!
Ok, so for 99% of the population, turning your home into an attraction is a non-starter; no matter how well turned out it is, nobody’s going to want to part with £5 just for the privilege of admiring your chintz curtains.

Step forward private enterprise
That doesn’t mean you can’t strike out and set up your own little private enterprise. People will pay to see all sorts of quirky attractions. So if you’ve got a great idea for A Beanie-Baby Museum, or a museum dedicated to the history of Fish & Chips, go for it, lots of other people have.

In Trust
Alternatively, you could seek useful employment from a large charity like the National Trust. (See Links for their website address). It gives up-to-date information on voluntary and job opportunities.

Going public
The largest government-funded heritage bodies in Wales are Cadw and the National Museum of Wales. See X-Ray for information on working in museums.

Who works for Cadw?
This means that Cadw employs people from a large field of expertise: everything from Field Monument Wardens to site staff, archaeologists, architects, and expert contract workers (See Conservator for more information).

Ok, how do I get to work in the heritage industry?
Well, as you’ve probably guessed already, there are many strands and opportunities. If you want to work in the conservation of actual structures, go to C is for Conservator. If you want to work in a museum, go to X is for X-ray.

For other aspects of heritage work, you should consider a relevant degree course. For more information, see Links.