Learn a building conservation skill

Traditional skills matter 

Up to 80% of buildings that will be in use in 2050 already exist. Many are traditional buildings, built before 1919. Climate change impacts these ageing structures, and this increases demands for people with the right skills. Our programmes are supported by the Engine Shed, Scotland’s building conservation centre.  

The future of traditional skills  

We are developing our vocational programmes and skills pilots to meet the needs of people across Scotland.  We work in partnership with Skills Development Scotland, CITB and the Scottish Government to do this. We are also working with Scottish Canals to develop Lock 16 – Scotland's Centre of Excellence for Canals and Traditional Skills.  

Our Craft Your Career programme helps you to learn directly from craftspeople and organisations across Scotland. The Craft Your Career programme is designed to create a sustainable system to safeguard important traditional skills that are essential for the repair, maintenance and sustainability of our traditional buildings, which make up 20% of all housing stock in Scotland and a vast number of historic sites. 

You can learn on-the-job while earning a wage through: 

• Modern Apprenticeships (up to 4 years) 

• Traineeships (12 months) 

• Craft Fellowships (18 months) 

We also support pathways within schools and for school leavers through the following programmes: 

• Construction Pathways (1 academic year) 

• Pre-Apprenticeships (12 to16 weeks) 

Just starting out?

Explore other ways to train:

How to get involved in the historic environment sector

As a Modern Apprentice, you will:   

• train with an employer for up to 4 years 

• earn a salary while you learn 

• gain hands-on experience in a trade  

• work towards accredited qualifications  

• receive training and support from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) 

• help to protect traditional building skills in Scotland 

In this programme, you are employed by HES and complete your training through a placement with a different host organisation. You might train in:  

• plastering  

• bricklaying  

• joinery  

• roofing 

• painting and decorating 

• stonemasonry

• other construction trades

You will be supported by a dedicated member of staff based at the Engine Shed.

Entry requirements 

We look for people who:  

• are interested in hands-on building trades  

• are motivated to learn  

Apply for an apprenticeship  

We advertise all apprenticeships as they arise. 

Search for apprenticeships

HES also has two stonemasonry Skills Centres in Stirling and Elgin. This is where we deliver accredited courses in banker masonry and fixer masonry.

Learn more about our Skills Training Centres 

Gain practical experience in building conservation while working at Historic Environment Scotland.

As a Trainee, you will:   

• train with HES for 12 months  

• earn a salary while you learn  

• work on real building conservation projects  

• learn from heritage experts  

• take part in structured training  

• build professional connections  

• help protect Scotland’s historic environment  

HES Traineeships have been running since 1978. Training topics change each year, but areas include:  

• climate change  

• technical conservation research 

• traditional building materials 

• heritage science 

• digital documentation 

• building surveying 

Where you will work  

You may be based at HES sites across Scotland, including: 

• the Engine Shed in Stirling  

• Longmore House in Edinburgh 

Entry requirements 

We look for people who:  

• are interested in heritage and building conservation  

• are motivated to learn  

• have basic skills related to the traineeship (such as digital skills) 

Apply for a Traineeship  

We advertise all traineeships as they arise. 

Search for traineeships

Learn heritage skills by training with craftspeople across Scotland.

As a Craft Fellow, you will:  

• train with a master craftsperson for 12-18 months  

• earn a salary while you learn  

• gain hands-on experience in traditional building skills 

• work on real heritage projects  

• join a network of Craft Fellows 

• build professional connections 

• help protect the future of traditional craft skills in Scotland 

In this programme, you are employed by HES and complete a placement with a master craftsperson. You might train in:  

• traditional joinery  

• stone carving  

• blacksmithing  

• thatching  

• stained glass 

• signwriting 

Our Craft Fellowship programme has been running since 1996. Previous Craft Fellows have worked on: 

• a creel house in Glencoe  

• vernacular structures at the Crannog Centre on Loch Tay 

• a turf house in Comrie 

• stonemasonry for the Four Courts in Dublin 

Read stories from our Craft Fellows on the Engine Shed blog.  

Where you will work  

The Engine Shed in Stirling will be your base.

Placements with craftspeople take place across Scotland, in both rural and urban locations.

Entry requirements 

We look for people who:  

• are passionate about learning a traditional skill  

• are interested in heritage and building conservation 

• have basic skills related to that craft (for example, can use hand tools) 

Apply for a Craft Fellowship  

We recruit Craft Fellows throughout the year. 

Search for Craft Fellowships

For general enquiries about our Craft Your Career programmes email technicaleducation@hes.scot  or phone 01786 234 800  

Learn more about the Engine Shed