Three heritage organisations have jointly launched a workforce development plan for cultural heritage in the UK.

The Cultural Heritage Blueprint identifies a series of actions and recommendations to ensure the people who work in the cultural heritage sector are recruited and trained to the highest standards.

The initiative is being spearheaded by Creative & Cultural Skills (CCS) – the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries – in partnership with the Museums Association and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).

According to figures from the CCS, UK cultural heritage last year contributed £1.01bn to the UK economy, an increase from £952m in 2006. The new plan aims to ensure the continued future success of the industry.

Jane Glaister, chair of the cultural heritage advisory panel and trustee of CCS, said there is a need to increase entry-routes into the sector and ensure the workforce reflects the diversity of the UK.

“This plan outlines the action needed to ensure the cultural heritage workforce is equipped with the right skills to enable the industry to grow," she said.

"We need to invest in our creative and cultural industries – one of the success stories of the UK economy - and what better way than investing in the next generation that aspire to work in these industries.”

The blueprint was launched by culture secretary Barbara Follett at en event at the London Transport Museum last night.

During the launch, Follett confirmed that the scheme will receive a £500,000 grant from the DCMS.

The funding will enable CCS to launch up to 50 Creative Apprenticeships across England predominately in the museum sector from 2009 onwards.

The government grant is in addition to £100,000 already given by the MLA which has supported ten apprentices within museums in England.