The IHBC has taken a major step forward in delivering key 2025 Parliamentary Commitments with Board agreement to join the National Federation of Builders (NFB) Heritage Skills Forum… ‘strengthening coordination… advocacy and… the skills our workforce needs’.
IHBC President Rebecca Thompson said: ‘The IHBC is very excited to join the NFB’s National Heritage Skills Forum, especially as the collaboration of professional and trade bodies will strengthen our message regarding the skills crisis in heritage and the built environment.’
‘We look forward developing our strategies and communicating the opportunities offered within the built environment, and working closely with Claire Wallbridge and the forum.’
Claire Wallbridge, Director of Heritage Skills, NFB said: ‘I was delighted to be appointed as Director of Heritage Skills at the National Federation of Builders (NFB) in August and to be elected as Chair of The NFB National Heritage Skills Forum that brings together the many voices involved in the Heritage Sector Skills arena.’
‘NFB has always advocated for their own heritage members with the Heritage Mark, Heritage Group, and annual National Heritage Conference. The extension of the offer to the wider sector and IHBC’s membership of the forum will help to add to strengthening coordination, offering advocacy and supporting the skills our workforce needs now and in the future.’
‘It’s a privilege to lead the coordination of stakeholders , Federations and sector partners whose knowledge and support will be invaluable as we develop this exciting new initiative and it’s positive impact on Heritage Skills and I’m grateful to IHBC and its Director Sean O’Reilly for their enthusiasm and commitment to the Forum.’
The NFB writes of its Skills Forum:
The NFB National Heritage Skills Forum exists to provide leadership and coordination of heritage construction sector skills development, supporting and promoting traditional building crafts, skills and training throughout the UK.
The Forum will work alongside the NFB Heritage and Traditional Build group, heritage stakeholder organisations, contractors and subcontractors, colleges, training providers and awarding organisations to help ensure that skills development remains a national priority, championing traditional crafts and careers as vital to the UK’s economy and heritage.
Remit and approach
The Forum will highlight available skills and training provision to the industry and where gaps are identified through research and supply chain intelligence, work with relevant organisations and awarding bodies on the development of new qualifications and training as well as the review of existing training and qualifications. Where requested, it will provide expert advice from Forum members and the NFB Heritage and Traditional Build group in this process. Led and chaired by the NFB Director of Heritage Skills, the Forum will work with Forum members and the NFB Heritage and Traditional Build Group to ensure that highlighted skills issues are investigated and acted upon.
Key activities
- National skills leadership: Act as the go-to intermediary and national voice of heritage stakeholders, trade and craft representatives and heritage associations for skills related issues
- Sector coordination: Establish and maintain a skills network of heritage contractors, specialists, crafts, and trade organisations and to work with stakeholder organisations to identify and advise on training provision
- Standards, qualifications and competence: Work with CITB Standards and Qualifications and awarding bodies to seek to contribute to changes to qualifications, heritage standards, National Occupational Standards (NOS) and competency reviews, ensuring that contractor views and skills needs are at the forefront of change
- Sector intelligence: Invite Forum members and the NFB Heritage and Traditional Build group to provide input on issues affecting their ability to undertake heritage-specific training and provide intelligence to policy makers on behalf of the sector
- Forum meetings: Hosting twice yearly meetings to discuss key priorities and achievements relating to heritage and traditional build training, skills, qualifications and careers…
See more on the IHBC’s 5 Commitments HERE and
- See HERE for ‘IHBC’s 5 Commitments’ in detail
- See HERE for research and related references and links
- See more on the IHBC’s CREATIVE Conservation Fund
See more on the NFB and its Heritage linked services HERE, and on the forum HERE
