Research seeks feedback on heritage skills

Historic England is undertaking research into England’s heritage building skills sector to help inform recommendations about how best to preserve and protect the country’s historic and older buildings.

A leading research agency in the heritage sector, Harlow Consulting, is carrying out a survey into the supply and demand of heritage building skills, to help identify skills gaps and shortages.

“The skills needed to maintain, repair, adapt and retrofit England’s traditional buildings are specialist. This research project will help Historic England, and partners in the sector, to better understand where skills needs are most pressing, enabling effective and collaborative action to address these.” Tess Gale, Sector Resilience and Skills Director, Historic England

Construction companies that work on older buildings are invited to participate in the survey, which will be conducted between January and February 2024.

Jennifer Brennan, Director at Harlow Consulting, said: “This work will map the profile of the workforce and relevant training provision, identify skills gaps and shortages, and make recommendations about how best to preserve and protect our heritage building skills.”

England’s built heritage makes a major contribution to our quality of life, culture, and the economy. Representing around one-in-five of the UK’s buildings, traditional buildings are responsible for the character of many of the country’s best loved places.

Older buildings need specialised skills and understanding for their on-going maintenance, repair, and restoration. It is also vital to understand how best to retrofit older buildings if the UK is to reduce carbon emissions and reach net zero.

Historic England works to protect, champion, and save the places that define who we are and where we’ve come from, as a nation, helping people care for, enjoy, and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment.

Jennifer added: “We strongly encourage those working in this sector to take part in the survey. Their views are incredibly valuable and will help Historic England and their stakeholders understand what actions can be taken to support vital skills and training.”

To register your interest in taking part, please complete this form: https://harlowconsulting.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/hog5zh and a member of the research team will contact you.