With the closing date vast approaching on 20th July, CITB NI are appealing for public votes to help them win. The Heritage Upskilling Apprenticeship Programme provided training for people to develop traditional building skills in Northern Ireland, allowing trainees to undertake training on placements at prestigious venues including castles and churches.
It also developed the skills of local college lecturers allowing three colleges to now offer heritage skills training in Understanding Repair & Maintenance of Traditional (Pre-1919) Buildings.
CITB NI research showed that trades such as stonemasons, heritage carpenters, joiners, painters, blacksmiths and lime plasterers are in decline and that seven years ago Northern Ireland had no training available for heritage building skills.
By working with the Heritage Lottery Fund, CITB NI has been able to both address the shortage of trade skills and the lack of heritage training available in Northern Ireland.
Barry Neilson, Chief Executive CITB NI said, “We are extremely proud of our work to help develop traditional building skills within our local built heritage sector and I am delighted CITB NI’s Heritage Upskilling Apprenticeship Programme has been recognised and been short listed for a National Lottery Award. National Lottery funding has significantly helped to provide training for people to develop traditional building skills and the supply of Heritage training in Northern Ireland in what is a very specialist area. I would like to acknowledge the Heritage Lottery Fund, those who trained on placement, the placement providers, lecturers and ambassadors/mentors who have given the projects their full support and have developed traditional building skills not only for themselves but for the good of the heritage sector. It would be a tremendous accolade for this unique project to be recognised with a National Lottery Award and I would appeal for people to show their support for the work by voting.”
Voting is now open visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards or telephone 0844 836 9688
