Emerging Talent Trainee Placement - Post Excavation Archaeological Trainee

Leeds Placement No home office possible

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Emerging Talent Trainee Placement – Post Excavation Archaeological Trainee

Employer: Historic England | Location: On site · Leeds, UK | Salary: From West Yorkshire Archaeological Services at the National Living Wage | Closing date: 1 Jun 2025

Job Description

Summary

We are the public body that looks after England’s historic environment. We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them.

Historic England offers a fantastic opportunity to join as an Emerging Talent Trainee Placement – Heritage Engagement Assistant.

This is a 32-hour per week, 8-week paid placement as part of the Emerging Talent Programme with West Yorkshire Archaeological Services, with a salary at the National Living Wage. It may lead to a 6-month Step Up Placement for further development.

Future Talent Programme

Our programme provides paid opportunities for underrepresented groups in heritage, including young people aged 18-30 from diverse backgrounds, disabled individuals, and those facing social or economic disadvantages. These placements are for 8 weeks, with potential progression to 6-month roles.

Purpose of the Placement

This role offers practical insight into professional archaeology, focusing on post-excavation processes from finds washing to museum archiving.

About West Yorkshire Archaeological Services

WYAS supports archaeological heritage through land investigations, excavations, and advice on cultural heritage matters. They serve clients across the UK, including land developers, local authorities, and heritage consultants, providing services like Desk-Based Assessments, Heritage Statements, and Environmental Impact Assessments.

During the placement, you will engage in activities such as:

Finds identification
Environmental sample processing and sorting
Organizing archaeological archives for storage and museum deposition

You may also have the opportunity to visit sites and participate in archaeological fieldwork, depending on timing and resources.

What You Will Learn

Besides on-the-job skills, all placements develop essential skills using the Skills Builder Framework, including evaluating your skills, setting goals, and planning next steps.

Events and Expectations

A Welcome Event will be held in London on 24 July 2025. You may be asked to participate in promotional activities such as careers events or case studies.

Desired Behaviours

Communication: active listening and questioning
Curiosity: seeking new information
Attention to detail: accuracy and working within boundaries
Work ethic: putting effort into all tasks

Target Start Date: July 2025

Why Choose a Placement with Historic England

This experience provides valuable hands-on skills for careers in heritage and construction sectors. Completing this placement makes you eligible for a 6-month Step-Up placement, which offers longer-term employment and skill development opportunities.

For recruitment support, contact us at EmergingTalent@HistoricEngland.org.uk.

How to Apply

Applications are made through Applied, a recruitment platform that reduces bias and promotes diversity. Instead of a CV, you will answer questions to demonstrate your skills and suitability. The use of AI or automated tools is not permitted to ensure fairness.