SPAB Training Schemes

Every year Britain’s oldest heritage charity SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) runs two unique and prestigious training schemes for young building professionals and craftspeople interested in developing a career in conservation.

The Scholarship

The Scholarship is awarded to up to four young building professionals (e.g. architects, building surveyors, structural engineers) who have completed their college-based training and can demonstrate enthusiasm for historic building conservation. Scholars travel throughout Britain meeting fellow professionals and craftspeople on historic sites and in workshops and studios. In addition they take part in work-in-progress to gain direct experience guided by experts in the field.  After spending the first six months as a close-knit group, the Scholars take individual paths for the last three months of the programme, developing and exploring a project of their choice, based on the country house. 

The William Morris Craft Fellowship     

The William Morris Craft Fellowship is open to craftspeople from any trade employed in the repair of historic buildings on site or in workshops and studios.  Candidates must have completed their apprenticeships and demonstrate a high degree of competence. Fellows are usually in their 20s or 30s, but older candidates are not excluded. The aim is to provide grounding in a wide range of traditional skills to help them bring a strong awareness of conservative repair and craft diversity to their future work. Fellows also have the opportunity to develop their own particular craft to new levels of excellence. The course of practical training is divided into three blocks of two months, enabling them to return to their employment in between each block. Up to four Fellows are appointed each year and they, like the Scholars travel the length and breadth of Britain. The two groups meet up from time to time for joint visits, a great deal is learnt from each other as the gaps between professionals and craftsmen are bridged.

Thinking about applying?

SPAB Fellows and Scholars are today among the UK’s leading conservation experts, working on and caring for many of the most significant buildings in Britain – cathedrals, palaces, National Trust properties and English Heritage sites, as well as humbler buildings. The unique training offered to Scholars and Fellows aims to benefit the whole conservation industry as their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm is passed on to colleagues, apprentices and property owners.

There are no course fees as training and administration costs are borne by SPAB as part of the award. Fellows and Scholars also receive a bursary to cover basic travel and living expenses.

For further information about these schemes go to: www.spab.org.uk  (education)
For full details and an application form please write to:
Education Officer, SPAB, 37 Spital Square, London E1 6DY or email: education@spab.org.uk.
Telephone: 0207 456 0911

The closing date for applications is 1st January each year and interviews are held in London at the end of January.