Skills Shortage Threatens Scotland’s Historic Buildings

According to a recent report by the National Heritage Training Group, (NHTG) around 5,000 additional workers are required to prevent Scotland’s historic buildings falling into disrepair. The current shortage of a skilled and qualified workforce is putting the conservation, restoration, repair and maintenance of these buildings in jeopardy.

The ‘Traditional Building Craft Skills’ report highlights the need for immediate action and emphasises that:
• In the next four years around 5,000 additional workers are required to meet demand primarily within stone masonry, carpentry, roofing (slate and tile) and painting & decorating.
• Over 8,700 individuals will require training in traditional skills over the next four years
• The current £1.2 billion annual spend on repair and maintenance on pre-1919 buildings is insufficient to ensure survival of Scotland’s built heritage
• There are nearly 450,000 pre-1919 buildings in Scotland including 47,000 listed properties
• As Scotland’s traditional building stock ages, even more buildings will require repair and maintenance
• Skilled craftspeople are difficult to find, especially stonemasons
• New-build courses drive Further Education curriculum to the detriment of traditional buildings skills training
• The current skills gaps exists at national as well as regional level and experts fear that in 15-20 years time, the skills essential to repair, maintain, conserve and restore the pre-1919 building stock will be seriously threatened unless immediate coordinated action is taken.

ConstructionSkills’ Director for Scotland, Graeme Ogilvy, explained: “In order to conserve Scotland’s historic buildings, it is imperative to preserve our craftspeople’s historic skills. As the Sector Skills Council for the industry, we’re currently working with Historic Scotland, the NHTG, and a number of others within the sector, to ensure that we have the right skills, in the right place, at the right time to maintain these significant buildings.

David Linford, Chairman of the National Heritage Training Group says: “The report is not only telling people that there is a real problem and that skills handed down from generation to generation are now being threatened – the skills action plan within the report also provides real solutions. It is a genuine way for those within the sector to get involved to make a difference and train for the future.”