The Heritage Skills Initiative has provided 47751 measured hours of skills training in the North East over 5 years, 9633 measured hours of training in Cumbria over 2 years and 410 hours of training in North Yorkshire over a 5 event pilot programme in 2011. Inclusive of conservatively estimated non-measured training events, HSI has provided over 67,000 hours of training since its inception in 2006 and has engaged over 10,000 people with traditional heritage skills and technical conservation.

Initiated by the North East Heritage Environment Forum and hosted by North of England Civic Trust (NECT), the Heritage Skills Initiative has identified the severity of the regional skills gap within the trades required to restore and maintain the historic environment. By examining the sector through mapping current training, the present skills base and demand for skills in the region, it has determined ways of stemming the shortage and is creating opportunities for training, increasing awareness of the heritage sector and developing an active and collaborative network across the region.

The North East Historic Environment Forum put together a successful funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage for the provision of a regional heritage skills co-ordinator, based at NECT, to further explore work undertaken in 2004-06 on behalf on One NorthEast and the North East Regional Museums Hub.

The initial task was to map heritage skills of the region, including training provision, stakeholders and existing skills within the region. The result demonstrated a lack of training provision in specialist courses, a difficulty in gaining an accurate picture of skills available and a large number of stakeholders within the region.

An essential and ongoing part of the project is the development of strong working partnerships with education providers, information and guidance services, the sector skills councils, practitioners, public sector agencies, local authorities and heritage stakeholders. This is undertaken through the action group and consultation with the partners mentioned above, to provide linked projects which are beneficial to all.

ANDIE HARRIS - LEARNING AND SKILLS MANAGER

LISA ROTHWELL-YOUNG - PROJECTS TEAM LEADER, CUMBRIA

KATHRYN BANFIELD - LEARNING AND SKILLS CO-ORDINATOR

KATE McALEER - CUMBRIA PROJECTS ASSISTANT

As part of our annual HSI events programmes, we offer a variety of Taster Days in various heritage skills. These events are mostly free of charge, and offer the chance to try your hand at skills such as blacksmithing, dry stone walling, stone masonry, pole lathing and working with lime.

Preparing the wood

Roughing out the wood on the pole lathe