The National Federation of Builders (NFB) has launched a National Heritage Skills Forum to improve co-ordination of skills development across the heritage and traditional building sector.
The forum is set to be announced at the NFB’s Heritage and Traditional Build conference at Painters’ Hall in the City of London, alongside the publication of the NFB and CITB’s RMI Sector Skills Plan: Heritage and Traditional Build.
The new forum has been established in response to the skills and training needs identified in the sector skills plan, including a requirement for greater cross-sector co-ordination and collaboration.
It also aims to address the gap left by the closure of the National Heritage Training Group, which previously provided a national focus for heritage construction skills and training.
Heritage construction skills and training
The National Heritage Skills Forum will provide leadership and co-ordination for heritage construction skills development across the UK.
Its stated purpose is to “provide leadership and coordination of heritage construction sector skills development, supporting and promoting traditional building crafts, skills and training throughout the UK.”
Its planned activities include providing a national voice on heritage skills issues, maintaining a sector-wide network, contributing to standards and qualifications, and supplying information to skills policymakers.
The forum will also hold meetings focused on priority areas for heritage skills and training.
Claire Wallbridge, who was recently appointed NFB Director of Heritage Skills, will lead the forum.
Wallbridge has previously worked as group training manager for the Natural Stone Industry Training Group and as the CITB lead for the National Heritage Training Group. She also founded Women in Natural Stone and has held roles with the Worshipful Company of Masons, including chairing its Craft & Training Committee and the HRH Duke of Gloucester Awards for Stone Masonry.
Commenting, Claire Wallbridge said: “I am delighted to be part of this significant step in NFB’s commitment to the heritage sector and to have the opportunity to contribute to its already outstanding commitment to the heritage construction trades and crafts.
“Our ambition is to bring together the many voices involved in heritage skills and training, strengthening coordination, advocacy and support for the skills our workforce needs now and in the future. There are many dedicated contractors, stakeholders and sector partners whose knowledge and support will be invaluable as we develop this exciting new initiative together.”
Sector skills plan identifies need for co-ordination
The forum follows the publication of the NFB and CITB’s RMI Sector Skills Plan: Heritage and Traditional Build, which identifies the need for long-term co-ordination across the sector.
The plan covers skills requirements associated with repair, maintenance and improvement work on existing buildings, as well as traditional construction and heritage projects.
The NFB’s Heritage and Traditional Build group is chaired by Clare Watson.
Watson added: “It has long been my ambition that the NFB takes a truly leading role when it comes to the heritage and traditional build sector. We’ve successfully launched a heritage and traditional build conference, published a dedicated magazine, developed a Heritage Approved Contractor Mark, led the CITB RMI Sector Skills Plan for Heritage and Traditional Build and now we’re showing our commitment to skills and training too.
“I’m delighted that the NFB has stepped forward when others have stepped back and I know that our appointment of Claire Wallbridge means that our new Forum has the very best chance of success. Those of us who remember the old National Heritage Training Group know how valuable such an organisation can be, and we aim to do even better”.
The National Heritage Skills Forum will be funded by the NFB with support from sponsors, including the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC).
