Career Changers and New Entrants
Heritage and conservation is a specialist area within the construction industry. The underpinning skills and knowledge gained from a mainstream construction qualification and work experience can be used to develop further your specialist skills and knowledge.
The ideal scenario is that you find an employer who works within the heritage sector, invests in training and will put you through an apprenticeship scheme or support you through a programme of education and training leading to a qualification.
Planning Ideas
1. Improve your prospects.
2. Discuss your plans with your local Job Centre.
3. Seek advice from your regionalConstructionSkills office. If you have been unable to identify an employer through your own means, ConstructionSkills may be able to help.
Remember, that many companies who work in the heritage sector also undertake new-build construction as part of their workload. In these early stages you may have to widen your search to include general construction companies. It will be an added bonus if part of their work is in the heritage sector.
Alternatively, you may wish to fund your initial underpinning craft skills training and qualification within a college environment to achieve an intermediate or advanced construction diploma.
Careers Advice
Government website providing free advice on career change and learning new skills, including course search, job profiles and guidance on producing a CV and improving your interview technique.
The Prince's Trust
If you're currently unemployed, a Development Award can help fund training, education and getting into work.
Building Conservation Directory
Provides an online list of materials suppliers, specialist contractors and professionals for the built heritage sector. Inclusion on the list is based on an annual subscription.
