Heritage Building Training
Bakers of Danbury have created a new 18 month externally accredited site-based Heritage Building Craftsman training programme, which is one of a kind.
Established over 140 years ago. Bakers of Danbury is well known across the region for its conservation and repairs to period properties, churches and ancient monuments. Including landmarks such as Westminster Abbey and St Pauls Cathedral in London.
Skills shortage
Bakers’ longest serving apprentice has been with the company over 35 years, and many of the company’s directly employed tradesmen have been with the company more than twenty years.
In addition to the skills shortage which threatens the construction industry in general. It is important that Bakers’ directly employed tradesmen who are highly skilled in traditional construction methods continue to pass those skills and knowledge to future generations, as it has been passed down through the company since its foundation in 1878.
Passing on those traditional skills
Traditional methods and skills are normally passed through mentorship and apprenticeships within the company. With this in mind, Bakers has teamed up with the training provider Priestman Associates LLP to develop a bespoke Heritage Building training programme, which is unique to Bakers of Danbury.
The Heritage Building Training programme will include an NVQ Level 2 in stonemasonry preservation skills. With learning based onsite and an onsite assessment, together with a programme of accredited heritage modules. Covering lime plastering, carpentry repairs and other skills necessary to carry out conservation and repair works to churches and ancient monuments.
Skilled craftsmen
On successful completion of the accredited training programme the trainees will become qualified and skilled Heritage Building Craftsmen with a stonemasonry NVQ Level 2 qualification. Together with externally accredited Heritage Building Craftsman training.
They will benefit from a varied and valuable skill set and will continue to work on many interesting church projects with the opportunity for subsequent training and internal promotion within the company.
Peter Smyth, Managing Director of Bakers of Danbury Limited said;
“We are proud to be actively helping to reduce the skills shortage within the construction industry, in particular the heritage sector, by creating two new places for Trainee Heritage Building Craftsman, within our Church Works department.
As there isn’t an NVQ 2 available in building heritage or conservation, our unique training programme will offer new entrants into the industry the opportunity to learn skills and benefit from training they are unlike to gain anywhere else”
How to apply
Having recently recruited one Trainee; Bakers of Danbury are currently advertising to fill their second vacancy for a Trainee Heritage Building Craftsman.
If you would like to register your interest, please email info@bakersofdanbury.co.uk or apply in writing to: Managing Director, Bakers of Danbury Ltd, Eves Corner, Danbury, Essex CM3 4QB.
