A new pilot scheme to help address skills shortages in the repair and maintenance of traditional buildings has been launched at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh.

This included demonstration of traditional building skills by a number of local craftspeople, showing how these skills have survived and are relevant today.

The scheme has been developed by CITB-ConstructionSkills NI - with £240,300 funding from the UK-wide Heritage Lottery Fund 'Skills for the Future' programme.

The programme is providing a unique opportunity for craftspeople in Northern Ireland to work and train alongside experienced practitioners from a range of leading built heritage sector contractors and organisations on live projects.

It includes:

- up-skilling for a small number of craftspeople to develop their knowledge, skills and experience of traditional building skills through work-based placements.

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- increasing the capacity to deliver future training by funding lecturers from further Education Colleges to participate in a dedicated Training the Trainers programme.

- using experienced craftsmen and craftswomen as Heritage Ambassadors and mentors to pass on their skills and knowledge to the trainees on this scheme and promote the built heritage sector more widely.

These three elements will help 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 in Northern Ireland.

The official launch was conducted by Nuala Kerr representing the Department for Employment & Learning and in endorsing the project she said: "It is essential that we safeguard our architectural heritage for future generations. Training is vital to ensure we kick start the revival of traditional building skills and produce the suitably qualified and skilled workforce over the next few years needed to work on these historic buildings."

The project represents a real opportunity to sustain the traditional building skills required to maintain the rich built heritage in Northern Ireland from castles and stately houses to more humble dwellings in our towns, villages and cities. From a small beginning this will influence future provision of quality work-based training and this is expected to be extended beyond the life of this funded project.

CITB-ConstructionSkills NI has appointed South West College to manage the delivery of the project and Ciaran McManus from the college outlined the progress to date and opportunities available through the project.

(CD/BMcC)