A new partnership between WAES and the British Library commenced on Thursday, 24 February 2022, when the first apprentices began their studies at WAES Lisson Grove Adult Education centre.

WAES was invited to tender for the apprenticeship training provider contract in 2021. The tender process included a presentation to the British Library Board about WAES and its libraries apprenticeship model, including its innovative and successful record of training and supporting the first three apprentices in the UK to successfully go through end-point assessment on the Library, Information and Archive Services Assistant apprenticeship standard.

Each apprenticeship will last 23 months and involve on-the-job learning about the British Library’s collection including how they keep it safe for future generations through conservation, and how they curate it with users at the heart of everything they do. The apprentices will be rotating between three teams to gain experience in all areas of the British Library. Apprentices will also study at WAES to earn their Level 3 qualification in Library, Information and Archive Services through monthly in-person workshops and classroom learning.

“We are excited about our new partnership with the British Library, one of the largest libraries in the world. Adult education and libraries go hand in hand as vital resources for inclusive, inspirational lifelong learning. Working together, WAES and the British Library can transform even more lives and help produce the next generation of library and archival experts to protect and expand this valuable collection for all of society.”
WAES Principal and Head of Service, Arinola Edeh

“The apprenticeships programme at WAES is truly strengthened by this new partnership with the British Library, giving apprentices the opportunity to work at a world-renowned institution. It represents further confirmation of our expertise in the Library, Information and Archive Services Assistant standard, for which we have also been shortlisted for the Creative & Design Apprenticeship Provider of the Year as part of the FE Week and AELP AAC Apprenticeship Awards.”
WAES Head of Apprenticeships and Professional Pathways, Gail Birkin

“We’re pleased to be partnering with Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) to find a new Library, Information and Archive Services apprentice. Through this partnership we hope to attract applications from people who may never have considered or had access to a career in libraries before, and who are largely unrepresented in our sector, expanding the breadth of talent and experiences amongst the British Library’s staff. And while we’re looking forward to helping them develop essential skills and gain a recognised qualification, we’re most excited to see what new thinking this apprenticeship will bring, both to us and the wider cultural and heritage sector.”
British Library Early Careers Manager, Lianna Hulsdunk

• Westminster Adult Education Service is Westminster City Council’s adult education service and the largest local authority adult education service in the UK. We provide life-changing learning opportunities for our learners through our qualification courses, apprenticeship programmes and extensive community-based provision. We work to adapt to the changing needs of our communities – resulting in a dynamic atmosphere where ambition, diversity and creativity are celebrated.

• The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and gives access to the world’s most comprehensive research collection. It provides information services to academic, business, research and scientific communities. Its collection of over 170 million items includes artefacts from every age of written civilisation. It keeps the nation’s archive of printed and digital publications, adding around three million new items to its collection every year.

Pictured: Two new apprentices