New research from the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship (CWF) has examined the workforce, training and organisational conditions needed to sustain the specialist skills that care for England’s cathedrals
Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship writes:
Simultaneously ancient and continually renewed: Keeping heritage crafts alive in England’s cathedrals began as a national Training Needs Analysis and developed into a wider strategic examination of cathedral craft capacity. The research asks: ‘How do we sustain cathedral craft capacity nationally?’ Its findings show that apprenticeships remain important, but long-term resilience also depends on career progression, experienced supervisors and mentors, workshop capacity, succession planning, funding, mobility and collaboration.
Among the findings:
- 92% of surveyed alumni – 24 of 26 respondents – said CWF positively influenced their career development.
- 85% – 22 of 26 – rated the quality of teaching as fantastic or good.
- 87 heritage craftspeople have trained through CWF since 2009.
- At least seven member cathedrals face identified succession challenges, with some or significant impact on their teams.
- Every surveyed member cathedral identified funding as a barrier to apprenticeships and training. The organisational survey received nine responses to 14 invitations.
- Historic stained glass conservation is identified by the research as the craft skill most at risk.
Michael Sheppard, Executive Director of the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship, said: ‘This research confirms that the future of cathedral craft is not simply about recruiting more apprentices. We have to support the whole system around them – experienced craftspeople, supervisors, workshops, progression and the partnerships that allow knowledge to move between places. The strength is already there; our challenge is to make that capacity sustainable.’
The research recommends broader career-long learning pathways, improver opportunities and continuing professional development; stronger support for tutors, mentors and supervisors; earlier succession planning; investment in workshop tools and facilities; more exchanges and secondments; stronger national advocacy; and collaborative approaches to funding and coordination. These are research recommendations rather than a list of already agreed CWF commitments. The research finds that CWF is uniquely positioned to bring cathedral-wide knowledge to shared challenges, while making clear that no single organisation can address the issue alone. It identifies a need for collaboration involving cathedrals, the Association of English Cathedrals, National Church bodies, heritage organisations, education providers, funders and commercial conservation partners.
The study involved 102 in-person participants in interviews and focus groups, including 72 craft and trade practitioners and 25 senior leadership representatives. Researchers visited 13 participating member cathedrals and also interviewed external conservation-sector participants. Surveys received 39 responses across organisational, alumni and contractor groups. The research was undertaken by Social Research Builders and supported by the Julia Rausing Trust.
The full Training Needs Analysis and companion publications are available here
