Skilled workers shortage could hit historic sites

9:11am Thursday 8th May 2008

THERE is a shortage of craftsmen with the specialist skills to work on Worcestershire's historic buildings and monuments, according to a new report.

Produced by the National Heritage Training Group and backed by Construction Skills and English Heritage, it was launched at the Prince of Wales' Foundation For The Built Environment.

However, the Traditional Building Craft Skills in England Report encouragingly showed the shortage of skilled craftspeople is less than it used to be and has been greatly reduced since the first NHTG report in 2005.

But the future of the five million pre-1919 buildings in England could still be at risk as most of the workforce undertaking repair and maintenance work on these buildings does not possess the skills required to do the job properly. According to the report more than 47 per cent of construction output in the West Midlands consists of repair and maintenance work, an above average figure. The West Midlands also has more than 34,000 listed buildings and one of the richest historic environments in England, including spectacular structures such as Worcester Cathedral as well as many historic private residences in the surrounding area.

Similar knowledge gaps affect the majority of the building professionals who specify, commission and oversee this work and this is exacerbated by recruitment difficulties in the professional ranks of the sector.

Peter Lobban, chief executive of ConstructionSkills, said: "We've taken some giant steps to ensure that more people are taking up these traditional building crafts that are so important to preserving the country's heritage buildings.

"But there is more work to do. Many of the people undertaking repair and maintenance work on pre-1919 buildings need upskilling to guarantee that tasks are completed to the highest possible standard and the West Midlands' iconic and more humble buildings are not spoilt."

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