The IHBC has welcomes the offer by the National Heritage Training Group (NHTG) of a special deal on the Level 3 Award in ‘Understanding Repair & Maintenance of Traditional Pre-1919 Buildings’, at Hay-On-Wye on 16 & 17 December, aimed at helping contractors and craftspeople working with traditional buildings, while also noting the need for government to stimulate demand for such skills.
IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘Any course of learning like this can only help lift the base line of skills in the sector, and the NHTG is doing a great job in helping raise standards here. At the same time we must continue to push government to promote client demand for these skills by addressing the obvious inequities in the tax system.’
‘The IHBC’s recent meeting with the Treasury on tax issues for historic fabric brought a response that ‘any proposal for a relief carries the risk of adding further complexity to the tax system, which the government is committed to simplifying.’ That position lacks any credibility as we can seen the raft of electioneering VAT rebates for vote-friendly charities.’
The National Heritage Training Group (NHTG) writes:
The National Heritage Training Group (NHTG) is pleased to announce a special training course in Hay-On-Wye on the 16th & 17th of December at the wonderful Hay Castle. The course, aimed at contractors and craftspeople working on traditional buildings, will help them to understand vital conservation principals and legislation requirements and considerations crucial for the appropriate care and repair of old buildings.’
Through a partnership with Lantra, utilising funds from Rural Development Programme England (RDPE), the NHTG are also able to offer the course at a considerably reduced rate for eligible rurally based businesses in England, although the course is open to contractors across the UK. The normal price for the course is £465, but this one is being offered at £345 and if you are eligible for RDPE funding (Rural Businesses based in England only-postcode eligibility applies), then it could be as low as £82! (Maximum cost for eligible individuals is £125).
The two day course, ‘Level 3 Award in Understanding Repair & Maintenance of Traditional Pre1919 Buildings’ is seen by the NHTG as a pre-requisite for those working on older buildings, whether they are listed or not. Cathie Clarke, General Manager of the NHTG says ‘many people believe that only listed buildings require special consideration when it comes to their repair and maintenance. But the reality is that the majority of buildings constructed before 1919 were made out of traditional materials, using traditional methods and skills. It is therefore imperative for the continued sustainability of our historic buildings that those working on them have an appreciation of how they were constructed, and an understanding of how they should best be looked after. This is particularly important when pressures to improve energy efficiency of traditional buildings could lead to inappropriate actions being taken, that could in turn lead to long term damage.’
The course, delivered by industry experts, could also be the first step for someone wishing to gain a full Heritage NVQ Level 3 diploma, as the L3 Award gained by passing the end of course exam, would count towards the full qualification. (Anyone achieving the full Heritage L3 is also able to access the Heritage CSCS card-increasingly being asked for by heritage agencies and other organisations as proof of competency to work on heritage buildings).
In addition to contractors, the course is equally suitable as Continuous Professional Development for professionals such as architects, engineers and surveyors who wish to improve their building conservation knowledge.
Places are limited however, so booking is absolutely essential. To check funding eligibility and to book, email info@the-nhtg.org.uk or call the NHTG Helpdesk, 01246 252363 (Tue-Thu, 9:30am-3:00pm). Please note: A minimum of 8 trainees is required to run this course – maximum of 20.
For recent VAT rebates see Civil Society news
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