Traditional building skills

Over a third of the UK’s housing stock was built using traditional building methods before 1944, with 21% dating from before 1919. Yet there is a national shortage of people with skills in specialist traditional building crafts such as carpentry, stonemasonry and lime mortar work.

The Heritage Lottery Fund is keen that each Townscape Heritage Initiative contributes to the development of these traditional building skills. Where possible the Peckham THI will negotiate with contractors for the delivery of apprenticeships as part of the capital programme.

In addition the THI will work with organisations to promote training opportunities in conservation and traditional building skills. As opportunities are developed they will be posted in News and promoted through Twitter.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in traditional building crafts or building conservation, The Building Crafts College is based in Stratford and delivers a range of courses for people wanting to pursue a career in traditional building crafts and building conservation. The college offers a range of apprenticeships for people aged 16+ as well as level 4-6 courses for people with prior experience. Well worth checking out if you are interested in this field.

SPAB, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, a registered charity, has a ‘Jobs in conservation‘ section on their website which has detailed information.