The Hamish Ogston Foundation and Historic England have announced a £4.325 million programme that seeks to address ‘long-term and severe’ heritage skills shortages in the construction sector.
.. 40 training opportunities over the next five years…
… apprenticeship will offer new routes into heritage construction…
HE writes
A pioneering £4.325 million, five-year programme to help address long-term and severe heritage skills shortages in the construction sector has been announced by The Hamish Ogston Foundation and Historic England. We are now recruiting for apprentices for the programme.
The grant is the largest one-off investment ever awarded to heritage construction training in England. It will fund an in-work heritage skills and apprenticeship scheme, which aims to increase expertise in essential crafts such as bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, painting and decorating, plastering, roofing and stonemasonry. Without intervention now, these crucial skills are at risk of being lost forever with grave consequences for England’s pre-1919 historic buildings.
Apprentices will work alongside Historic England experts at sites in the North of England which are on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register. They will make valuable contributions to the restoration of some of the country’s most precious historic buildings, such as Grade I listed Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire.
Participants will be able to learn their trade at critical points in their career, acquiring important skills and knowledge. It will offer new pathways into heritage construction, from young people interested in a future in heritage construction to experienced professionals working in mainstream construction considering a move across to the heritage sector….
Hamish Ogston CBE of the Hamish Ogston Foundation said:
Hamish Ogston CBE of The Hamish Ogston Foundation said:
“It gives me a huge sense of fulfilment to make this investment in a project that I am confident will make a real difference to people’s life chances, setting them on a path to sustainable, satisfying jobs. …”
Duncan Wilson Chief Executive of Historic England said:
“We are delighted to be working with the Hamish Ogston Foundation on this ground-breaking programme. As life moves closer to normality again, this is an exciting employment and heritage skills training opportunity for young people starting their careers and for professionals in the construction industry looking for a rewarding change. This programme will inspire others by making a huge contribution towards saving some of England’s most important historic buildings.”….
Next year, the scheme will also be open to experienced workers wishing to transition into heritage construction and learn specific heritage craft skills…..
