Sustaining Traditional Building Skills in NI

In 2010 and 2012 funding was received from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Sustaining Traditional Building Skills in NI project.  The project consists of three elements. 

Firstly upskilling for a small number of craftspeople to develop their knowledge, skills and experience of traditional building skills through 1 year work-based placements. 

Secondly, increasing the capacity to participate in a dedicated 3 week Training the Trainers programme as it is equally important to develop the training infrastructure to ensure sustainable provision. 

Thirdly, using experienced craftsmen and women as Heritage Ambassadors and mentors to pass on their skills and knowledge to the placements on the programme and promote the built heritage sector more widely.  These three elements have helped and will continue to address and improve the current under-provision of training in this field and contribute to caring for and better maintenance of the 125,000 (pre-1919) buildings across Northern Ireland.

Meet the Sustaining Traditional Building Skills in NI placements

To date we have 15 trainees who have completed their placement, 7 of which have achieved their NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Heritage Skills (Construction) in their related occupation and 7 pending results and a further 3 placements currently working towards their NVQ with various organisation across Northern Ireland such as the National Museums NI, National Trust and Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
Case Studies of some of the trainees can be found here.

This programme is now completed.