Following a decision by the construction sector training body, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), to withdraw core funding for The National Heritage Training Group (NHTG) from 2016, the NHTG board seeks sector endorsements to continue its work and help avoid heritage skills becoming just another sub-category under ‘Repair and Maintenance’.
The NHTG writes:
To date, CITB have provided core funding for the NHTG to promote and support heritage craft skills training and qualifications in addition to providing a voice for the heritage craft skills sector. However, the CITB have now decided to cease their financial support for NHTG from the end of this year, as they believe heritage training is better served by funding construction industry federations and training groups which have a heritage theme.
The NHTG Board strongly disagree with this decision and believe that there remains a vital individual and collective coordination, promotion, lobbying and supporting role to be played by an independent UK wide organisation.
Ray Robertson, Chairman of the NHTG said ‘More than ever, the heritage skills and traditional building crafts sector needs its own strong and influential voice if it is to continue its battle for recognition and support. As the construction industry continues to recover from recession, the alarming skills gaps in the heritage sector previously identified by NHTG have become obvious to all’.
Ray went on to say: ‘The decision to cease funding for NHTG has been taken at this time of greatest need, when our national architectural inheritance is being put at critical risk, not only by a lack of skills but by a lack of awareness as to why a building designed in 1895 must be treated differently to that designed in 1985’.
Cathie Clarke, General Manager of the NHTG said: ‘The role of the NHTG is to encourage and assist heritage craft skills development at all levels across the industry. Over the last twelve months, the NHTG has demonstrated its ability to respond to the needs of the sector and has increased its effectiveness and influence. It has provided a wide range of products and services, including some still in their early stages’.
As part of its day-to-day services the NHTG runs a Helpdesk and a comprehensive online Traditional Building Crafts Training Directory and Information Centre. This unique service promotes heritage craft skills training, events and careers to everyone including young people who are particularly important to the future sustainability of our built heritage. Where else can you go to find this type of specialist training information?
The NHTG has therefore reconsidered its financial position and is confident that despite the withdrawal of CITB funds, the organisation can continue to maintain a presence in the sector, for a further three years utilising existing resources.
Ray Robertson stated: ‘We now have the opportunity of a radical reassessment of practicalities and priorities in establishing the most effective role and most productive activities that are best undertaken by the NHTG to support the industry. For the first time we will be a truly independent organisation. We have the exciting opportunity to change the title of the organisation so that it better reflects our priorities and objectives’.
Ray goes on to say: ‘It is our belief that the industry and in particular the individual federations, heritage agencies and other organisations directly involved, wish to continue to have a coordinated voice on heritage and traditional building skills and that the NHTG is best-placed to fulfil this role’.
The NHTG wishes to continue to work and act on behalf of the UK heritage craft skills sector, and welcomes support and input from any individual or organisation that is interested in developing a positive and pro-active strategy for the sustainability of these skills. It is important that the views of all stakeholders on how traditional building crafts can best be supported in future are understood and explored and therefore the NHTG is keen to receive support from any interested parties.
Please send all correspondence to info@the-nhtg.org.uk
For more on the NHTG see www.the-nhtg.org.uk and NHTG News
