The construction industry is one of the country’s largest employers, covering a wide range of skills and employing millions of people.
It is not just about new buildings; the UK has a vast number of historic and listed buildings which require repair and maintenance. To meet all these needs requires a skilled workforce equipped with contemporary and traditional craft skills.
The unique and ground breaking Centre for Construction & Heritage Skills provides construction courses at the substantial, purpose built, industry standard training facilities located at the Airedale Business Park in Skipton.
Specialist facilities include:
Students get involved with many external live projects which put their skills into practice such as repairing buildings in the community and restoration work. For instance, twelve of our heritage construction students visited the International Network of Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism (INTBAU) Training Centre in Transylvania. The trip provided students with an amazing opportunity to work on an historic restoration project and gain practical experience of heritage craft skills and was supported by Wates’ community investment programme.
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Heritage Skills Card can lead to unique opportunities in the construction heritage industry and successful students can gain this as part of their studies in this area.
Successful students include: Jonathan Buckley who was awarded the prestigious ACA Plasterer Company Training Award, whilst two other students have been successful in securing Princes Trust Bursary Scheme support – there were only twelve successful applications across the country!
English Heritage has endorsed the CSCS Heritage Skills Card. They requested that all craftspeople undertaking conservation, repair, maintenance and restoration on their 400+ properties and sites would be working towards the CSCS Heritage Skills Card by 2010. Our students to have a head start for employment opportunities in this area.
Army Bursary Scheme
Based on the college’s proven successful track record in public services training, we have been chosen as a partner in this new scheme. The Army works in partnership with the college to support courses prior to joining the Army. If you are accepted onto the scheme and successfully complete your course you will receive a bursary. This scheme is aimed at students across curriculum areas, not solely public services. For example students in Construction, Animal Care, Media, ICT and Catering are all in demand for careers in the Army. For more information on the Army Bursary contact Student Services on 01756 708 008.
