Museums training programme
Supporting skills development within the sector
Our training offer
Working with a network of over 140 UK Regimental & Corps Museums and international partners, we deliver a free annual training programme that encourages skills development within the sector, and explores the benefits of networking and sharing expertise in working with Army collections.
While our training is free for those working or volunteering in Regimental & Corps Museums, our courses are currently charged at £50 for a half day, £100 for a full day, and £450 for our week-long Regimental Curators’ Course, for those wishing to attend from outside the sector.
Please note that all volunteer bookings need to come direct from your volunteer-supervisor.
If you have any enquiries regarding the training programme, please contact Julian Farrance (jfarrance@nam.ac.uk).
Army 101
Date: Monday, 7 September 2026
Time: 10.30am – 3.30pm
Location: National Army Museum, London
If you’re new into the world of military museums, if you’ve never known the difference between a regiment and a battalion, or why officers are promoted along one track and other ranks along another, then this is the course for you.
We will examine the basics of army structure, uniforms, weapons and medals, and try to break down the myriad of military mysteries during this full-day course.
Advanced Modes Plus
Date: Tuesday, 8 September 2026
Time: 10.00am – 12.30pm
Location: Online (Zoom)
This course will build even further on the techniques learnt in Modes for Beginners and Advanced Modes, including:
- Designing templates
- Bulk location updates
- Procedure records
- Person records
Attendees should have completed the Modes for Beginners course and Advanced Modes, or have equivalent experience of navigating, searching, editing and creating Modes records. Attendees must be confident in basic IT and the use of Zoom.
Modes does not need to be installed on the device being using to join the session. It is recommended that attendees join on a device with a keyboard, camera and microphone to allow full interaction.
Modes Administration
Date: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Time: 10.00am – 12.30pm
Location: Online (Zoom)
This course will provide an introduction to Modes administration processes and include such techniques as:
- Managing users
- Managing files
- Managing multimedia
- Managing indexes
- Managing validation
Attendees should have completed the Modes for Beginners course and Advanced Modes, or have equivalent experience of navigating, searching, editing and creating Modes records. Attendees must be confident in basic IT and the use of Zoom.
Modes does not need to be installed on the device being using to join the session. It is recommended that attendees join on a device with a keyboard, camera and microphone to allow full interaction.
Bitesize: SEND and Accessibility
Date: Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Time: 10.30am – 11.30am
Location: Online (Zoom)
The latest in the National Army Museum's Bitesize series, this session will explore how museums can create welcoming and inclusive environments for a range of visitors. It will also explore what SEND is and how SEND-inclusive practices can be worked into the everyday visitor experience.
Regimental Curators’ Course
Date: Monday, 19 October – Thursday, 22 October 2026
Location: National Army Museum, London
This four-day training course covers various aspects of museum best practice and working with Army collections. It is open to staff, volunteers and trustees working in Regimental and Corps Museums.
Topics covered during the week include an introduction to preventative conservation, learning services, marketing for military museums, research and archives, photo identification, exhibitions, collections care and management, and much more.
Firearms in Museums (Leeds)
Date: Tuesday, 10 November 2026
Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm
Location: Royal Armouries, Leeds
The Firearms in Museums course is delivered in partnership between the National Army Museum and the Royal Armouries. The course covers firearms legislation relevant to UK museums, provides a historical overview to firearms used by the British Army, and also includes an introduction to firearms conservation.
This course will take place in person at the Royal Armouries in Leeds. (Limited to 10 attendees.)
Firearms in Museums (London)
Date: Monday, 23 November 2026
Time: 10.30am – 3.30pm
Location: National Army Museum, London
The Firearms in Museums course is delivered in partnership between the National Army Museum and the Royal Armouries. The course covers firearms legislation relevant to UK museums, provides a historical overview to firearms used by the British Army, and also includes an introduction to firearms conservation.
This course will take place at the National Army Museum in London.
Bitesize: Imperial Legacies
Date: Wednesday, 25 November 2026
Time: 11.00am – 12.00pm
Location: Online (Zoom)
This hour-long session is aimed at museums interested in developing the interpretation and display of their colonial collections. Focused heavily on practical work, the session will look at how to create co-production projects based on shared heritage and the telling of contentious histories. Delivered by Chris Berriman and Freya Samuel.
Bitesize: Arts Award and Kids in Museums
Date: Tuesday, 8 December 2026
Time: 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Location: Online (Zoom)
This one-hour session will explore how the National Army Museum’s Learning team delivers a highly successful four-week Arts Award Programme that culminates in the annual Kids in Museums 'takeover' day.
The session will cover school engagement, session planning, staff coordination and feedback. It will also explore how taking part in both projects can benefit both the attendees and the staff involved.
