Skills shortage places historic buildings at risk

A serious shortage of professional skills is leaving some five million historic properties in the UK at risk.

According to a new report released today by the National Heritage Training Group (NHTG) shortages have been identified which are affecting specialist workers in England and building professionals working across the whole of the UK built heritage sector.

This shortage is placing buildings – including Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle as well as a host of rural and urban churches, barns and houses – at risk of terminal decline.

The report finds over two-thirds of work carried out, of which 67 per cent is for private home-owners, is being carried out by those without the right skills and materials.

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

"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 England's iconic and more humble buildings are not spoilt."

Skills professionals, including thatchers, dry stone-wallers, stonemasons, joiners, roofers and carpenters, were all found to be in short supply.

Indeed the report identifies a base of only 507 fully accredited conservational building professionals, in an industry thought to be worth up to £1.5 billion by 2012.

However, the situation may be improving. A report from English Heritage found similar shortages in 2005, and has created a renewed interest in the situation.

"The 3000-strong force of new blood is crucial to addressing the succession problem within the sector. We may be reversing a trend but clearly there is still lots to do to make sure the quality of work is maintained," said Bill Martin, director of conservation at English Heritage.

"These skills issues affect not just listed buildings, but the whole swathe of undesignated and locally important heritage and conservation areas that form an integral part of the historic environment."

More information can be found with regard to Built Heritage Sector Professionals and Traditional Building Craft Skills can be found here.

Chris O'Toole