Heritage skills

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Given the significant proportion of pre-1919 houses in the Pennine Lancashire Housing Market Renewal (HMR) intervention areas, it is important that facelift/group repair programmes use appropriate skills and complete the work in a manner sympathetic to the local vernacular. Increasingly, this will become a problem as the existing individuals holding these skills will eventually be lost to the construction industry through retirement. If these highly valuable and necessary skills are to be retained, then a formal educational framework will be needed.

Elevate’s Constructing The Future team is currently exploring the various options in conjunction with various partners. These skills are also in demand in other construction related areas, notably surveyors, architects and public realm heritage decision-makers. A further consideration is how heritage skills can be supported through the use of locally sourced sustainable materials. The requirement for these materials is given further impetus as the sustainability agenda gains momentum.

The case for heritage skills

Elevate has undertaken a study of the demand for heritage skills from local and regional employers, through interviews, workshops and focus group activities.

Pennine Lancashire currently suffers from skills gaps rather than shortages. The lack of formal training mechanisms in this area has other consequences, definition and demonstrable proof of skills on the supply side is difficult and confused, whilst on the demand side, there is a clear need for the provision of these skills to be available to a much wider range of individuals that might immediately seem to be the case. This view point is extended to the range of services that can be located locally and which meet the demands of project definitions and specifications. The study shows that both contractors and specifiers agree there is a clear need for greater educational and vocational opportunities with multiple entry points, which can be offered to a variety of people and include a range of qualifications. The survey also highlights the widespread need for reliable sourcing directories.

To download the complete study report click here.