Eight in ten heritage employers report skills gaps

Almost eight in ten employers responding to a survey of Scotland’s historic environment sector reported skills or knowledge gaps, prompting HES to call for continued action to strengthen specialist skills and career pathways.

HES' most recent Employers' Skills Survey found that 79% of respondents reported skills or knowledge gaps, with traditional and specialist skills the most commonly identified gap, reported by more than half of organisations (54%). More than half (58%) reported issues with training provision, while almost half (49%) said there are not clear and accessible routes into and through the sector.

Almost two thirds expect skills gaps to have a considerable impact on organisational growth (40%) or a huge impact on sustainability (25%). Employers identified a lack of skilled or qualified professionals (77%) and an ageing workforce (67%) among the biggest drivers of future skills and labour problems.

Traditional and specialist skills are needed not only to care for Scotland’s best-known historic sites, but to repair and maintain the buildings people live, work and learn in every day. From homes and schools to libraries and community spaces, skilled workers are needed to carry out appropriate repairs that keep traditional buildings wind and watertight, and in use for the people and communities that rely on them. In addition to traditional skills, expertise in areas such as heritage science, digital technology and innovation is developing new ways to understand, conserve and make the most of Scotland’s historic environment.

HES is highlighting the findings during Heritage Careers Week (5-9 October), which raises awareness of careers across the historic environment and the different routes into the sector. HES supports opportunities including apprenticeships, work-based learning, short courses and specialist training.

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of HES' Craft Fellowship programme, which since 1996 has supported more than 60 people to develop specialist skills in crafts including stone carving, blacksmithing, stained glass and thatching. Fellows gain hands-on experience with specialist external organisations and skilled practitioners.

Dr David Mitchell, Director of Cultural Assets at HES, said:

“Scotland needs traditional and specialist skills to care for the buildings and places that are part of everyday life across the country. When almost eight in ten employers responding to our survey report skills or knowledge gaps, it is clear we need to focus now to strengthen the workforce for the future. 

“Employers are telling us they need clearer career pathways, accessible training and opportunities for people to learn from experienced professionals. The response to that has to be a collective and cohesive one. HES, industry, employers, training providers and government all have a role to play in creating opportunities for people to enter these careers, develop their expertise and pass specialist knowledge from one generation to the next. 

“Thirty years of our Craft Fellowship programme shows what sustained investment in people can achieve. We need to build on approaches like this, along with apprenticeships and other training pathways, to ensure Scotland has the skilled workforce it needs to care for its historic environment for decades to come.”

The research forms part of the Skills Investment Plan for Scotland’s Historic Environment, bringing organisations across the sector together to strengthen training and career pathways and develop the specialist workforce needed for the future.

Find out more about HES's work to support skills and training, including current opportunities.

We're the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We are at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future. Across Scotland, we investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also working with sector partners to deliver Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.

Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES

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Heritage Careers Week is the Scottish heritage sector’s annual careers week. This initiative is led by employers and aimed at raising awareness of the wide range of careers in the historic environment. It offers engaging activities to inspire people to consider a career in the historic environment and supports efforts to improve access and diversity in the sector.

Heritage Careers Week takes place in October each year. Throughout the week, employers work with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) regional groups and local schools to deliver a range of in person and online activity open to families and schools. Heritage organisations also work with employers to deliver activity for everyone from young people just starting out, to people looking for a change in career or to get back into work.

Heritage Careers Week 2026 will take place from Monday 5 to Friday 9 October.

For further information, please contact:

Historic Environment Scotland Communications Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot