The Whithorn Trust is currently beginning a Museum Innovation Fund and Heritage Lottery–supported project to design, pilot and evaluate a museum-led heritage skills hub, which builds on existing skills training activities in Whithorn currently undertaken by the Trust and youth employability and training partners, Building Futures Galloway. The skills in question range from archaeology to stone carving, masonry and timber-framing, the fine arts which relate to the heritage of our site, as well as sustainable practice in construction, both ancient and modern. The goal of the feasibility study is to reposition Whithorn as a centre for learning heritage skills and to generate new and different income streams for the Trust and its partners.

This time-limited consultancy includes scoping and segmenting the different audiences we currently address - eg. schools, accredited training for young people, lifelong learning - and new ones such as university partnerships for field skills, CPD. We would like the appointed consultant to engage with our expert trainers and our business consultants (separately appointed) to develop frameworks, learning outcomes and programme the curriculum for short term courses ( eg. an afternoon, a day), immersive longer courses eg. in boatbuilding, and those with structured learning outcomes such as school courses aiming at qualifications and university partnerships aiming at student experience and proof of field skills. The project will include pilot activities, new marketing (undertaken by other contractors) and a new business plan (completed by other consultants).

• The job may be structured as part-time employee, or as a time-limited consultancy.

Detailed description

Project: Museum-led Heritage Skills Hub (Whithorn)

Duration: Up to 24 months (intermittent input, flexible and compressed hours to be agreed)

Indicative budget : £10000-12000

1. Purpose of the consultancy

The consultant will support the Whithorn Trust and partners to design a coherent, high-quality curriculum framework for a museum-led heritage skills hub. The role will ensure that learning delivered through the project is robust, appropriately pitched for different audiences, and capable of supporting both non-accredited learning and progression to accredited and higher education pathways, where appropriate.

The consultancy is developmental and strategic in nature, supporting innovation, piloting and learning rather than routine delivery.

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2. Scope of work

The consultant will work collaboratively with the Whithorn Trust, Building Futures Galloway, All Roads Lead to Whithorn and specialist practitioners to:

a) Curriculum framework design

• Develop an overarching curriculum framework covering the project’s four thematic areas:

o Archaeology and research skills

o Traditional and heritage skills

o Sustainable architecture and practice

o Sustainable travel and access

• Ensure learning outcomes are clear, progressive and appropriate for different learner groups (schools, young people, adult learners, professionals).

b) Non-accredited learning design

• Design and sense-check short courses, training days and CPD offers, ensuring:

o clarity of learning outcomes

o appropriate duration and intensity

o alignment with museum collections, sites and practice

• Support consistency of approach across partners and tutors while allowing flexibility for specialist delivery.

c) Accreditation and HE pathways

• Advise on how selected learning offers could align with:

o accredited qualifications

o HE field schools, placements or credit-bearing modules

• Map potential progression routes without committing the project to formal accreditation where this is not appropriate.
• Support discussions with HE or accrediting bodies where required, ensuring proposals are realistic and proportionate.

d) Quality assurance and peer review

• Sense-check curricula and learning materials through light-touch peer review.
• Advise on quality standards, learner assessment approaches and evidence of learning suitable for both accredited and non-accredited contexts.

e) Evaluation and learning integration

• Work with the project team to ensure learning design supports evaluation, including:

o evidence of skills acquisition

o learner progression

o confidence and employability outcomes

• Contribute to reflective learning reviews at key stages of the project.

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3. Outputs

Indicative outputs may include:

• An integrated curriculum framework document
• Clearly articulated learning outcomes for pilot activity
• Guidance on progression and accreditation options
• Input into evaluation and knowledge-sharing materials

Outputs will be proportionate and focused on practical use rather than academic documentation.

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4. Working approach

The consultant will:

• Work collaboratively and flexibly with project partners
• Provide input at key stages rather than continuous delivery
• Support innovation and learning without creating long-term dependency

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5. Value for money

The consultancy will be time-limited, competitively procured where appropriate, and focused on enabling high-quality, transferable learning design that supports sustainability and sector learning in line with Museum Innovation Fund objectives.

Pay: £12,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Canteen
• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Free parking
• Work from home

Application question(s):

• Do you have an understanding of educational outcomes?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Newton Stewart DG8 8NS