British Library training placement

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 12th June at 11.59pm

Planned start date: 29th July

Duration: 5 weeks

Number of opportunities available: 5

Bursary: £1,970

Location: The British Library, St Pancras, London

Learn More webinar: Tuesday 4th June at 5pm. Click here to sign up!

Are you curious about a career in the library and creative sector? The British Library will help you start your career story with this training placement.

Where else can you find Leonardo da Vinci rubbing shoulders with family recipes? Unearth the earliest world maps and this morning’s local news? Or listen to the call of a barking treefrog alongside the rallying cry of the Suffragettes?

Every day, The British Library's staff work hard to open up this vast collection for people to explore all over the UK and around the globe. They aim to employ passionate and forward-thinking people of all ages and experiences who can bring a fresh perspective to what they do.

In recruiting for this role, Creative Access is looking for interest over experience; no related experience is required for this placement. We are particularly keen for people to apply who would also be interested in applying for apprenticeships at the British Library, following this 5-week programme.

Creative Access is hosting a live webinar with British Library staff to explain more about the opportunities, which we highly recommend attending if you would like to apply. Secure your spot via this link. 

What you can expect from the programme

• Learn from the experienced Library staff and gain experience during placement
• Learn what the library and creative sector is and how The British Library fits into it through industry visits
• Learn about roles and career pathways in the library and creative sector through tours and career talks
• Develop skills in librarianship, hosting events, engaging with audiences, supporting projects and many more
• Develop your problem solving and presentation skills by completing a project with your peers to bring The British Library to life
• Develop your CV, application and interview skills through CV and interview workshops

Learning times are flexible and will take place between Monday – Friday. Group learning and support activities will take place between 10am and 4pm.

We are looking for people that are:

• Interested in The British Library and what they do
• Interested in working in the heritage, cultural and library sector in the future
• Have an understanding of how the British Library engages a variety of audiences with its work
• Are keen to learn and reflect on their experiences
• Organised and can manage time effectively
• Competent in using a computer and have knowledge of MS Office or are happy to spend time developing these skills at the Library

What are the next steps after the training placement?

The training placement will set you up well to apply for one of the British Library's apprenticeships. There will be business administrator apprenticeships in the Learning, Community, International Office and Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) teams starting in September, all studying towards a recognised level 3 qualification. 

Past trainees have also gone on to continue their career story at other heritage and cultural institutions.

To apply

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
• Upload your CV and cover letter as one document (applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted)
• Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully
• Do not contact the company directly
• Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk

This opportunity is only open to individuals from a group that is under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates, disabled people and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

The British Library want this opportunity to be accessible to everyone from the above groups so a bursary will be paid fortnightly to those that participate.

The successful candidate for this opportunity will also participate in a Creative Access support programme that sits alongside workplace training. This includes a programme of induction training, monthly masterclasses, wellbeing support, buddying / mentoring and more.