The Heritage Building Skills Programme

This major project in the North of England is passing endangered heritage construction skills to the next generation and restoring historic buildings.

Three people repairing a brick wall.
Participants on the Heritage Building Skills Programme learning traditional techniques to repair pointing from Emma Simpson, a specialist in the conservation of traditional brickwork. © Historic England

The programme launched in 2021 and is encouraging more people to learn endangered crafts through training and apprenticeships.

The programme aims to

  • reduce shortages in heritage construction skills
  • improve historic sites in urgent need of repair
  • create career opportunities for disadvantaged young people 

How you can help

Please consider supporting our salaried traineeships, which provide participants with invaluable hands-on experience working on historic buildings, as well as training and mentoring by Historic England staff and sector experts, who teach a variety of technical skills in different disciplines and pass their knowledge on to the next generation. 

Support the programme

The programme so far

Since 2021 we have been delighted to work with dozens of participants across the different tiers of the programme, from entry-level building college students and apprentices to more experienced specialist craftspeople honing a new skill.

The programme is supporting apprentices to learn a wide range of specialist heritage techniques in trades such as:

  • bricklaying
  • carpentry
  • joinery
  • millwrights
  • mosaic and stained-glass conservation
  • painting and decorating
  • plastering
  • roofing
  • stonemasonry

Hear from one of our Participants

“It was a fantastic year and I met so many wonderful and interesting people, passionate and knowledgeable in their field. A very rare opportunity and employment experience I feel very grateful for. Thanks so much!”  Trainee mosaicist, 2023

A young person inspects a mosaic floor.
A stonemasonry conservation trainee works on restoring a mosaic in the baptistry of Chester Cathedral. © Historic England

Summer School

The Summer School helps participants put the training element into practice via residential heritage construction training with specialists whilst providing much-needed repairs to important heritage sites. Summer School 2024 will take place in partnership with Churches Conservation Trust at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, a Heritage at Risk site in Lancashire.

This will enable participants to develop their skills, knowledge, and experience of working on complex, live, multi-trade construction sites, as well as gain new practical qualifications and connections within the industry.

Trainees participate in a woodworking workshop at the Heritage Building Skills Summer School. © Historic England.

Get in touch to find out more: [email protected]