CITB NEWS
CITB NI IS DELIVERING HERITAGE SKILLS SUPPLY AND TRAINING IN NORTHERN IRELAND, SUPPORTING JOB CREATION WHILE RAISING AWARENESS OF OUR BUILT HERITAGE… Supporting heritage construction
The construction industry is evolving, creating new career opportunities across the sector. In response, CITB NI is delivering heritage skills supply and training in Northern Ireland, supporting job creation while raising awareness of our built heritage and the traditional skills needed to preserve it. For those working in the trades, this growing focus on heritage skills could open the door to a distinct and rewarding next step. If you are a trade or craftsperson looking for the next move in your career, then developing heritage skills could provide the opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Across the UK and Ireland, there is a shortage of contractors, from joiners to plumbers and plasterers to electricians, with the skills and experience to work on older and historic buildings. In Northern Ireland, around 11% of houses were built before 1919, and there are more than 15,843 historic buildings, each requiring specialist knowledge and skills to repair and upgrade them. The number of craftspeople is reducing, whilst demand is increasing. Are you ready to make the move? CITB NI has a number of training opportunities to help the construction industry upskill in heritage work. CITB NI is working with partners Department for Communities, The Heritage Council, National Museums Northern Ireland (NMNI) and The King’s Foundation to deliver The All- Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. The programme will offer eight people working within the construction sector the opportunity to gain practical hands- on experience of heritage projects through tailored industry placements, materials weeks and building schools. Participants receive a tax-free bursary to support them during their training, and work to achieve an NVQ Level 3 in Heritage Skills (Construction).
“For those working in the trades, this growing focus on heritage skills could open the door to a distinct and rewarding next step.”
a number of heritage projects and opportunities, including Living Heritage: Past, Present, Future, supported by the Department for Communities Historic Environment Fund, and Future for Thatch, a project training four people in thatching alongside wider public engagement, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Whether you are looking to fully specialise or simply broaden your skillset, heritage training offers a practical way to future-proof your career while contributing to the preservation of Northern Ireland’s historic buildings. With funded programmes, bursaries and short courses available, there has never been a better time to explore what heritage work could offer you. Find out more about CITB NI heritage projects on its website, www.citbni.org.uk, like CITB NI on Facebook or follow the discussion on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok
Additionally, CITB NI offers a range of short courses in a variety of heritage skills and topics, from free webinars on items such as retrofit and damp to courses and taster days in stonemasonry, lime plastering and joinery. Our next series of heritage training events is due for release in May 2026. Alongside training, CITB NI delivers Current opportunities Applications are now open for the All Ireland Heritage Skills Programme 2026-27 through the NMNI website, www.nationalmuseumsni.org Applications are open for heritage skills training bursaries of up to £4,000, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund through Heritage Crafts, www.heritagecrafts. org.uk/bursaries/construction- bursaries-northern-ireland/
T: +44 (0)28 9082 5466 - E: info@citbni.org.uk - www.citbni.org.uk Want to know more?
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