Representatives from the Heritage Lottery Fund, placement provider organisations, the training network, construction companies along with trainees gathered at CITB NI to celebrate the success of the 'Sustaining Traditional Building Skills in Northern Ireland' project last week.
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.
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
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Construction News
22/05/2015
CITB NI Celebrates The Development Of Traditional Skills For Heritage Sector
Latest Construction News
01/05/2024
Sisk has been named as the main contractor for the first two phases of Vantage Data Centres flagship Ireland campus (DUB1) at Profile Park in Dublin. Located across 22 acres, the initial stages of the campus will include a 32MW facility and a 20MW facility, with the first phase set to be in ...
01/05/2024
NI Water has become one of the first public sector organisations to install a battery energy storage system which will reduce its carbon footprint. The 4.1 MW battery is powered by an existing solar farm at one of NI Water's largest water treatment plants at Dunore Point in Antrim. The battery has ...
01/05/2024
Kildare County Council has marked the completion of a new development of ten housing units at Ard Sceach, Coill Dubh. The units which were under 'Housing for All – a New Housing Plan for Ireland', includes four 1-bedroom properties as well three two-bedroom properties and three-bedroom houses. The ...
01/05/2024
The Government has updated and launched the Project Ireland 2040 Progress Tracker and the 'MyProjectIreland' interactive map. Project Ireland 2040 includes a transparent long-term strategy for public capital projects out to 2040. The 10-year period out to 2030 is backed by funding of €165 billion ...
01/05/2024
Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd has announced that the resurfacing and widening scheme on the A3 Portadown Road in Armagh has been completed. The scheme which extended for 1.3 kilometres will improve the structural integrity and surface quality of this busy A class road. Announcing ...
01/05/2024
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has hosted the latest Industrial Decarbonisation for Northern Ireland (IDNI) workshop which was attended by over 20 local businesses. Under the guidance of Invest NI, the event aimed to educate businesses and stakeholders about the objectives of IDNI, an ...
01/05/2024
Gas Networks Ireland has launched its new pre-excavation safety campaign with the introduction of its new campaign 'ambadgador', known as Keith. The campaign highlights the importance of safety first, urging individuals to always check for gas pipelines before they break ground. Gas Networks ...
01/05/2024
Cork County Council has officially launched its Town Centre First (TCF) Regeneration Plan for Skibbereen. The ambitious yet practical plans for Skibbereen Town Centre represents the culmination of extensive public engagement led by Cork County Council, aligning with the nationwide Town Centre ...
01/05/2024
The Housing Executive has announced that progress has been made to transform land in Laurencetown into a community garden and allotment with the introduction of a new shed and gardening tools. The Laurencetown Lenaderg and Tullylish Community Association received a £2,600 Community Grant, which ...
01/05/2024
SSE Renewables has announced that it will be the principal sponsor of the Irish National Sheep Dog Trials which are taking place this August in County Donegal. Organised by a voluntary Donegal Committee comprised of members of the International Sheep Dog Society, the trials are being held in ...