Turn your love of culture, history and taonga into a paid and progressive career with ServiceIQ.

Kiwis are passionate about preserving their heritage and sharing it with the rest of the world. Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand estimated that there were approximately 470 museums in Aotearoa in 2012. Although the exact number has varied since then, the nation has one of the highest numbers of museums per capita globally.

These numbers include small, local attractions staffed by dedicated volunteers, weird and wonderful specialist privately-owned operations, and internationally renowned tourist destinations employing hundreds of people.

Art galleries, historic places, iwi cultural centres, and heritage collections all fall under the museum umbrella, but they share one thing in common. From the retail space to the gift shop, café and collections areas, they need to work hard to grab a share of today's competitive tourist market by providing a memorable visitor experience.

As a result, today's museums are changing. Visitors no longer want to see just things on display in glass cases; they want an immersive journey built on entertainment, enlightenment and curiosity.

Modern museum careers reflect this change – an opportunity to get creative, showcase your storytelling skills, and put your expertise on display. For anyone looking to advance in their museum careers or start on a practical, work-based pathway into New Zealand's museum and gallery roles, take advantage of workplace training programmes such as the New Zealand Certificate in Museum Practice – Level 4 offered by ServiceIQ.

For curators, conservators, collections managers, archivists and more, the qualification gives participants the comprehensive knowledge and practical skills on what it takes to care for collections and create exhibitions, as well as developing an understanding of tour planning, the role of Māori in museums, safety and security, and more.

It's the bridge between developing world-class best museum practice and boosting future career opportunities, taking up to 18 months to complete, and at a pace that works for you and the museum. Not only are you earning as you learn, but you're also increasing your knowledge, your qualifications, and adding to your professional toolbox while getting paid. Qualifications plus experience can help you move into more senior roles, such as a senior curator or even management positions further down the line.

The Certificate is ideal for those who are already building a career in the museum sector or looking to progress in their current job, as it is structured around the essential and practical tasks undertaken daily in a collections and curation setting.

As the Certificate is nationally recognised, once completed, it's a qualification that participants can take with them throughout their museum career in New Zealand. It's also a good option for rolling out to ambitious museum people not actively involved in collections, but keen to get there in the future.

It's not uncommon for museum staff to work across different areas of the business when required. Museum workers need to be flexible, particularly at smaller venues – jumping in to fill gaps due to absence, illness or sudden staff departure. Whether it’s the front-of-house or retail, a highly qualified workforce maintains service quality, can demonstrate site and exhibit knowledge, and deal with visitor enquiries in a professional manner.

Senior museum management can also further their leadership careers by upskilling in ServiceIQ's Management and Supervision Programmes. For example, the New Zealand Certificate in Business (First Line Management) – Level 4 embeds critical leadership and professional management skills in your team leaders or supervisors to succeed, from practical communication skills to change management and business planning essentials.

Explore work-based museum qualifications that open doors in Aotearoa. Grow your museum career and your workplace with affordable on-the-job museum training. ServiceIQ, the workplace training specialist for the hospitality, retail, tourism, aviation, travel, and museums sectors, New Zealand wide.