The project managed by CITB NI and mainly supported by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through its ‘Skills for the Future’ programme, helped to develop traditional building skills and create a heritage training infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The project will improve the workforce skills to repair and refurbish existing pre-1919 buildings and contribute to the local heritage sector.
The programme has enabled 34 craftspeople and college lecturers to be upskilled in heritage occupations including; Carpentry & Joinery, Heritage Painting; Blacksmithing; Stonemasonry; Plastering and Thatching to NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Heritage Skills or National Progression Award level.
Work-based placements were with experienced heritage practitioners and included sites owned by the National Trust, NI Environment Agency and The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.
A 'Training the Trainers' programme was delivered to 10 lecturers from Belfast Metropolitan College, South Eastern Regional College and South West College to improve knowledge and understanding of built heritage and to enhance the provision of traditional skills training within the mainstream construction courses. Since the initial training the lecturers have formed the Sustainable Traditional Building Skills Training Forum which will build upon the established heritage training infrastructure and start delivering built heritage courses amongst the college network.
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A team of Ambassadors/Mentors have also been developed to act as advocates and mentors for the traditional building skills programme throughout Northern Ireland. The development of traditional building skills is continuing further with 11 local experienced carpenters and joiners undertaking the first Heritage Specialist Apprenticeship Programme in Wood Occupations in NI due to be completed in December 2015.
Barry Neilson, CITB NI Chief Executive said: "The National Heritage Training Group (NHTG) launched research in 2009 which highlighted serious skills and knowledge gaps affecting builders and craftspeople working in Northern Ireland’s built heritage sector. The Sustaining Traditional Building Skills in Northern Ireland project has addressed the fact that flexible on-site training schemes and obtaining relevant heritage qualifications are essential to preserve our vast range of historic properties and goes some way to addressing the needs of the sector. We are delighted to acknowledge those who trained on placement, the placement providers, lecturers and ambassadors/mentors who have given the project their full support and have developed traditional building skills not only for themselves but for the good of the heritage sector."
Paul Mullan, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund NI, added his support: "Skills for the Future is an important grant programme for the heritage sector. It is an ambitious programme that enabled heritage organisations to focus not only on the skills needed to safeguard our heritage but to equip people with practical skills to help them secure future employment. Sustaining Traditional Building Skills in Northern Ireland has been a great success and we are delighted the participants have gained invaluable practical experience alongside their qualifications which they use to conserve our built heritage."
www.citbni.org.uk
