29 March 2024
Fife College recently celebrated the graduation of the inaugural group of students from a new pre-apprenticeship course, aimed at addressing the skills gap within traditional building maintenance.
The course, delivered in partnership with Fife Council and Historic Environment Scotland, saw a cohort of 11 students take on traditional building and maintenance skills promoting a healthy pipeline of talent to ensure the future of Scotland’s points of historical importance.
Students mastered skills crucial to the conservation of our national heritage, from the intricacies of joinery and roofing to the art of masonry. Of course, the programme wasn’t just about preservation but also nurturing a new generation of talent, equipped with knowledge and expertise.
As the latest cohort commence the course, over half of the inaugural students have already secured positive destinations as they continue their journey, thanks to the joint efforts of Fife Council; Fife College; Historic Environment Scotland’s Engine Shed.
Karyn McGhee, Craft Skills Programme Manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said:
“We know there’s skills shortage for these traditional building skills. A traditional building in Scotland is one that pre-dates 1919. There’s a huge amount of these buildings in Scotland and this programme tries to address working towards that skills shortage and giving people opportunities within the construction industry as well.
“For this 16-week programme, we’ve partnered with Fife College and Fife Council, to support participants through an NPA: Construction Craft and Technician qualification, construction training, and employability support as well.
“The students also worked closely with employers, three days a week, on a range of skills such as roofing, joinery, or stone masonry. They also gained additional training and employability work two days a week at the Council and the College, respectively.”
About the Engine Shed:
Engine Shed, based in the historically significant city of Stirling, supports innovation and education in the preservation of traditional building skills. This pioneering centre, operated by Historic Environment Scotland, serves as the nation's leading learning and research hub for building conservation. With a focus on nurturing talent and advancing the understanding of traditional materials and techniques, it plays a crucial role in maintaining Scotland's rich architectural heritage for future generations.
More about Historic Environment Scotland:
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) stands as the custodian of Scotland’s rich tapestry of past landscapes, buildings, and monuments. As a leading public body, HES is dedicated to preserving, understanding, and sharing the nation’s historic environment. Through its stewardship of more than 300 properties of national importance — ranging from ancient ruins to grand castles — HES plays a vital role in bringing Scotland’s history to life for both residents and visitors from afar.
