CITB NI has hosted its first ever Heritage Specialist Apprenticeship Programme in Wood Occupations in Northern Ireland.

Eleven local experienced carpenters and joiners completed the first 10 days of a 20 day off-the-job training programme delivered at Nutts Corner Training Centre.

The training programme focused on structured practical training to enhance trainee joinery skills for the traditional building sector.

The training will also include 11 months on-the-job training where the trainees will receive training and assessment with experienced heritage contractors including the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, National Trust, National Museums NI, Millar Woodcraft, JRC Construction, The Ballykelly Group and Piperhill Construction Limited leading to the achievement of the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills (Construction) – Wood Occupations. They will also be mentored by experience heritage ambassadors/mentors throughout the training programme.

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Also as part of this programme, three college lecturers, Alex Boyd, South West College, Kieron Flannery, Belfast Metropolitan College and Raymond Palmer, South East Regional College have commenced the Training the Trainers CPD programme and will assist in the delivery of the off-the-job training programme so that the Heritage Specialist Apprenticeship Programme can be rolled out in their respective colleges to interested carpenters and joiners who want to upskill into the heritage sector of the construction industry in Northern Ireland.

The training was organised by CITB NI, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund through their Skills for the Future programme and delivered by The Traditional Building Skills Company.

(CD/JP)