Skills Development
Monuments under the control of Historic Environment Division are maintained by the Conservation Works Team, while Management Agreements can be implemented for other monuments. The Northern Ireland Countryside Scheme can give financial assistance towards the cost of upkeep of monuments of agricultural land.
Skills in the Heritage Sector in Northern Ireland
In 2009, the National Heritage Training Group in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) GB and CITB NI, published a report outlining the state of demand, supply and training provision within the built heritage sector across the whole of Ireland. Two reports; including a larger research report and a summary report were produced and further details can be found on the Skills in the Heritage Sector in Northern Ireland page.
Conservation Works Team
For the monuments in the care of Historic Environment Division, maintenance and repair are usually carried out by our Conservation Works Team. This includes a number of large and complex sites, such as Carrickfergus Castle and The Derry Walls. This team also develops heritage skills in stonemasonry, joinery and blacksmithing. In July 2020 a Heritage Skills Bursary scheme was launched in partnership with The Prince’s Foundation. This has seen six students selected to work towards NVQ Level 3 in Heritage Skills.