CITB-ConstructionSkills’ heritage brick Specialist Apprenticeship Programme (SAP) has seen its first cohort finish as five successful apprentices were tutored by world-renowned brickwork consultant Dr Gerard Lynch and collected their well-earned certificates at a recent ceremony in Milton Keynes.
CITB-ConstructionSkills writes:
The programme involved learning essential skills to undertake heritage work on the UK’s considerable pre-20th century building stock. The nature of the work often draws mature apprentices with previous experience of construction practice and brickwork or knowledge of the traditional craft. The heritage brick SAP offers them a year of learning, combining on and off-the-job training that leads to a level 3 NVQ.
Traditional building conservation company Between Time Ltd, in Hertfordshire, has seen the programme’s benefits for staff. Director Rowan Lloyd says: ‘We have been able to give our employees the best training opportunity, expanding and consolidating their knowledge and understanding of historic brickwork and mortars from medieval times to recent days. Their practical experience was put firmly into a historic context, with an understanding of how materials were produced, prepared and transported in order that our craftsmen can put their detailed learning into practice on significant conservation projects. The course has been a rare opportunity to practice advanced brickwork techniques off-site, such as gauged brickwork and rubbed arches, with advice and ‘best practice’ tips passed down from a master craftsman and excellent teacher in Gerard Lynch. Everyone at Between Time Ltd has been more than satisfied with the experience.’
For more information on the heritage brick SAP or for a full list of courses available from CITB-ConstructionSkills, call 0300 456 5561 or email enquiry.nsac@cskills.org.
WCMT Information: LINK
