Early career employment opportunities and obstacles: recent experiences of four emerging conservators from Australia

Abstract This article explores some of the obstacles currently facing Australian-based emerging conservators in securing work opportunities. Based on their recent experiences, the authors consider how such opportunities are critical for professional development, how they can be mutually beneficial for host organisations and how meaningful intergenerational skills transfer is the key to industry sustainability. The authors’ experiences are placed within the broader Australian conservation context through the interrogation of data collected in recent surveys concerning levels of employment and professional engagement for emerging conservators. The decentralisation of employment opportunities, continued strategic advocacy and the establishment of a nationally recognised internship programme are discussed as sustainable solutions for future industry growth.