IHBC’s web-based ‘Jobs etc’ service has registered a substantial rise in employers letting IHBC members know about job and other work and trustee opportunities, but that shouldn’t distract from the crisis the sector currently faces, the IHBC has said.
IHBC Director Sean O’Reilly said: ‘It’s a good feeling for members to see these job opportunities arriving in their inboxes, but that shouldn’t hide the fact that the sector is in crisis. The decimation of local authority conservation services across so much of England recently means that the infrastructure of local heritage conservation has reached an all-time low, while opportunities to learn conservation skills in the public sector are few and far between. It is still not clear to us why people invest in heritage skills if they don’t invest in the skills that ensure we look after it properly!’
‘The IHBC’s early career members are only to aware of the lack of wider support for the sector, and are having to head for less demanding and more readily funded roles in other parts of the heritage sector. It’s a very unsatisfactory and frustrating situation.’
‘With so many local authorities barely able to employ conservation specialists, never mind train them up, we are seeing a crisis in career development for those who would have been charged with heritage and regulation in the future. So please do not let the success of the IHBC’s ‘Jobs etc’ service disguise the fact that the fundamental structures of heritage conservation have now dropped into a whole new low!’
Joanna Theobald, the IHBC’s ‘Jobs etc’ website manager said: ‘‘With the number of adverts up by a third between 2011 and 2012 we can report an even steeper rise for the first 5 months of 2013, and that doesn’t include multiple vacancies. In the last week or so we’ve had jobs advertised with a total annual salary of about half a million pounds! It’s at least one piece of good news for the sector.’
‘And it clearly points to the recognition by employers that advertising with the IHBC ensures that, if they do care about quality candidates as well as value, process, inclusion and transparency, the IHBC’s ‘Jobs etc’ service is the way to go, not just for jobs, but trustees posts, bursaries and contract opportunities too.’
‘Indeed the IHBC would like to take this opportunity to thank our advertisers, many of whom are regular users, for their hugely positive feedback.’
Find testimonials and useful comments – such as ‘we are delighted with the outcome’ – on our Likes page.
The IHBC welcomes all feedback so if you have advertised with us and would like to comment please email jobs@ihbc.org.uk
If you’ve not advertised with us before and would like more information or advice you will find full details on the Advertise your job page (or contact our team at either jobs@ihbc.org.uk or contact@ihbc.org.uk
View the jobs and opportunities at: LINK
Advertise your job: LINK
