Traditional Building Skills Training Programmes
Explore a range of training schemes that develop the understanding and practical skills needed to work on traditional (pre-1919) and historic buildings and gardens.
Beyond bursaries, a wide range of training courses and qualifications are available from short courses to specialist applied skills programmes. Find out more on our Traditional Building Skills page.
You can also visit the GoConstruct website to learn more about construction apprenticeships.
We are supporting and recruiting heritage apprenticeships at Historic England, see the Heritage Apprenticeships and Historic England Apprenticeship pages to find out more.
William Morris Craft Fellowship
The Fellowship programme is run by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) and supported by Historic England. Each year the Fellows spend six months travelling the length of the country together, visiting sites and working with craftspeople, contractors and professionals. It is designed to broaden the skills and experience of craftspeople, from any trade, who want to develop their career in the repairing of historic buildings.
Find out more about the fellowship and how to apply on the SPAB website.
Canal and Rivers Trust
Future Talent Programmes are recruited across both Wales and England. Trainees gain practical skills working alongside the Canal and Rivers Trust construction teams with the opportunity to work towards Level 2 NVQs and Apprenticeships.
Prince's Foundation
The Building Craft Programme gives practical experience in traditional building skills and an opportunity to gain a Heritage Skills NVQ Level 3. This course is designed for craftspeople looking to bridge the gap between basic construction qualifications and becoming a master craftsperson working within the heritage sector. It is supported by Historic England.
Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme
The Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme (HBGTP) has been running since 2006. English Heritage leads the programme working in partnership with the Professional Gardeners’ Guild and the Royal Horticultural Society and others. HBGTP trainees develop their technical knowledge and high-level practical skills by working alongside professional teams in some of the most important gardens in the country.
Placements are fully-funded, with a salary of at least the National Living Wage. Placements last for one year.
The HBGTP website also provides information on alternative training schemes and horticulture careers.
