Ever walked past an old building, maybe a medieval church or a quirky Victorian shop, and wondered how it’s still standing? Or how it looks so good? Well, that’s the hard work of skilled craftspeople dedicated to historic building conservation and restoration.
If you love history and have a keen eye for detail, this could be your dream gig. A historic building conservation and restoration apprenticeship is your chance to take care of our past and preserve beauty for future generations.
In this guide, we’ll tell you how to find and apply for these unique apprenticeships so you can get on track with your ideal career today.
The basics: What is historic building conservation, and does it offer apprenticeships?
‘Historic building conservation’ sounds a bit like something out of a textbook, right? But really, it’s all about bringing amazing old buildings back to life. Think castles, cathedrals, grand country estates, charming old cottages, or even just that cool brick pub you walk past every morning.
This industry is dedicated to making sure these structures keep their special character and significance. There are loads of apprenticeships designed to equip you with the craft skills and knowledge to work on these priceless places. From mastering stonemasonry to learning about leadwork and tackling timber frames, all the skills in this industry are about safeguarding heritage.
Let’s find out what apprenticeship opportunities you can get in the world of historic building conservation.
Types of historic building conservation & restoration apprenticeships
Stonemasonry apprenticeships
How about shaping stones with your own hands, like a hero in a fantasy novel? Stonemasonry apprenticeships teach you all about working with different types of stone (think limestone or granite). You’ll learn how to carve, cut, fit and build blocks to create everything from fancy structures to sturdy walls.
Traditional carpentry & joinery apprenticeships
Timber has been an important building resource for centuries. You’ll learn to repair and create things like windows and doors using traditional methods that have stood the test of time. We can all work around a bit of flat-pack furniture, but these apprenticeships take woodworking further – they’re about understanding the properties of wood and blending new work seamlessly with old.
Heritage plastering & limework apprenticeships
Did you know that historic buildings often used lime-based plasters? A heritage plastering apprenticeship dives into these traditional materials and techniques, such as applying lime mortars and renders or restoring decorative plasterwork.
Stained glass apprenticeship
Have you ever seen the beautiful stained glass features in old churches? Well, you could bring damaged windows back to their former glory. These apprenticeships teach you the delicate art of disassembling, cleaning, repairing and re-leading historic stained glass.
Entry requirements
While specific entry requirements can vary from one employer to another (they all have their own quirks, just like old buildings!), here’s what you’ll generally need to get accepted:
- GCSEs at grade 4+, especially in English and maths
- Experience with woodworking or design subjects – make sure you choose these subjects when your options roll around, if you haven’t already!
- A creative portfolio showcasing your work – you can build this up at school. Ask your teacher about participating in extra projects, too.
- Attention to detail, problem-solving prowess and patience – essential personality traits to thrive in the historic sector.
Apprenticeship levels – what they mean for historic building conservation
UK apprenticeships are categorised as levels (2-7) based on the experience and qualifications required to apply and those you will earn at the end of the programme. Here’s the breakdown for getting into heritage crafts and building:
- Level 2 (intermediate) – equivalent to 5 GCSEs (grades 9 to 4)
St Paul’s Cathedral offers awesome heritage craft apprenticeships every year, such as the Level 2 Stonemason Apprenticeship.
- Level 3 (advanced) – equivalent to 2 A-levels.
The National Trust’s Heritage Crafts Apprenticeships are few and far between – keep your eye on the vacancies! You can also look at the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB)’s apprenticeship and NVQ opportunities, including the Level 3 Heritage Skills (Construction) course.
- Levels 4 and 5 (higher) – equivalent to a foundation degree
Historic England’s apprenticeships roster is super exciting: Cultural Heritage Conservation Technician, Heritage Construction Specialist and Historic Environment Advice Assistant are just a few of the cool opportunities on offer.
- Levels 6 and 7 (degree)
Ever heard of getting a university degree without actually going to uni in the traditional way? That’s what Level 6 and 7 degree apprenticeships are for. You’ll be working while also studying towards a full degree – get the lowdown about degree apprenticeships here.
Historic England also has noteworthy higher apprenticeships, such as the Level 7 Cultural Heritage Conservator and Historic Environment Advisor positions. The University of Lincoln also offers a first-of-its-kind course that helps you achieve a master’s degree in Heritage Conservation through a Level 7 Cultural Heritage Conservator Apprenticeship.
Sector spotlight
Have you ever watched The Repair Shop on TV? Shows like this are reigniting public interest in old stuff and traditional skills. They shine a spotlight on how important it is to appreciate heritage crafts and the expertise behind them. You could set up a social media account in your spare time to showcase your craftwork – even if that’s just whittling wood in your back garden. Digital media has had a really positive impact on bringing this ancient industry into the modern world, so there’s no harm in trying to capitalise on it.
Extra tips
Today’s tip is simple but valuable: persistence pays off. The downside of historic building conservation and restoration apprenticeships is that they are few and far between, which means competition is very high. Don’t get discouraged if your first application isn’t a hit, and it might take a bit of time before you’re accepted to your dream position. Keep refining your CV, seeking feedback from teachers, applying across the board and working on personal projects – then you’ll be a great candidate for all the best apprenticeships.
Build a career that stands the test of time
Historic building conservation and restoration apprenticeships are rewarding ways to appreciate the past while thriving in a modern-day career. An apprenticeship puts you on a unique path to mastering traditional techniques and flexing your passion for history.
Wondering what else is out there? Browse more apprenticeships today to find one that truly suits you.
Relax. We’ll send the jobs to you.
Reckon you know what you want to do, but can’t find the perfect role? Most companies hire their apprentices in a ‘recruitment window’. This means many great jobs are only available for a short time once or twice each year.
Sign up for our job alerts service, and we’ll send you any jobs that fit your search criteria.
