Historic Scotland has launched its campaign to recruit 30 additional apprentices in traditional building skills - stonemasonry, joinery and painting.
The announcement was made by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop who highlighted the importance of traditional building skills, and the contribution they make to the Scottish economy.
“Traditional building skills are at the heart of Scotland’s construction industry and help to boost economic growth. Currently Scotland’s historic environment contributes more than £2.3 billion to the economy and supports more than 20,000 employees in the construction industry."
The apprenticeships are based throughout Scotland and in Edinburgh and the Lothians includes an opening for an apprentice at Edinburgh Castle and Blackness Castle.
The first ten will be recruited by early next year. This is in addition to the three or four apprentices already recruited each year by the organisation.
The new apprentices will experience a mixture of on the ground and college based training at the agency’s leading UK facility at Elgin and at the recently announced National Conservation Centre in Stirling.
The new £3 million centre, which is being supported by the Young Scots Fund, will allow Historic Scotland to develop world class training as well as offering support to other colleges. The apprenticeships will take place over a four year period after which time they will be qualified in their individual discipline.
“This is a hugely exciting time for the sector as increased knowledge unlocks the potential of our traditional buildings to deliver very real tangible benefits in areas such as energy efficiency and sustainability," said Director of Conservation for Historic Scotland, David Mitchell.
“This places even greater emphasis on traditional skills in maintaining these buildings, a sector which continues to remain sound in the face of economic challenges."
He added: “The apprentices will benefit from quality training and a low ratio of teaching staff to learners, mirroring our successful training centre in Elgin. They will also have access to the latest research into building techniques combined with a first hand opportunity to learn skills that have been passed down through generations. In addition, being part of a new campus will also enable them to benefit in terms of access to great facilities and a rounded educational experience.”
Applications are open until 18th November. For more information visit the Historic Scotland website www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/jobs .