Minister meets the next generation of conservation craftspeople
Date published:
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has met participants in the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme and apprentices who are helping to safeguard Northern Ireland's historic environment for future generations.
The Department for Communities is participating in the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme alongside The King's Foundation, National Museums NI, the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) and the Heritage Council; the UK participants are funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Eight participants are undertaking a 12-month programme of formal skills training and on-site work placements with experienced craftspeople. The programme will lead to a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) certification through the Department's Northern Ireland Heritage Skills Centre at its Moira Depot.
During the visit, the Minister also met apprentices and staff from the Department's Conservation Works Team (CWT), which is delivering specialist conservation and maintenance work at State Care Monuments.
Part of the work included repairs on two cannons removed from Carrickfergus Castle in July 2025. The work was completed by conservation specialists based at Moira and also some of HEDs new apprentices. These cannons are the first to receive conservation work but all those within Carrickfergus Castle have repairs planned, which it is hoped will be completed by March 2027.
The Minister said:
"Our historic buildings and monuments are an important part of our shared heritage and identity. Protecting them for future generations requires highly skilled craftspeople with specialist conservation expertise.
"The All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme is an excellent example of organisations working together to develop those skills, providing valuable training opportunities while helping to address future skills needs across the heritage sector.
"I was delighted to meet participants on the programme along with the apprentices who are developing their expertise through this programme and through the work of our Conservation Works Team. Their commitment and enthusiasm give me great confidence for the future of heritage conservation.
"This investment demonstrates our commitment not only to protecting our historic environment, but also to creating high-quality training and employment opportunities. I am particularly pleased to see increasing participation by women in conservation and construction-related trades, helping to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce."
The Minister heard how investment in the Conservation Works Team has enabled the recruitment of eight apprentices, the first intake in 25 years, with a further three apprentices due to be recruited shortly.
The intake includes the team's first female apprentices, stonemason apprentice Jennifer West and joinery apprentice Caoimhe Sherlock. The Conservation Works Team has also recruited its first female qualified tradesperson, Erin McKnight, a painter and decorative finisher and graduate of a previous All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme.
The Department has worked with organisations including the CITB NI and Women's Tec to promote career opportunities for women in construction and heritage conservation trades.
The Minister also viewed new plant and equipment purchased through departmental capital investment. The upgraded equipment has improved operational efficiency and supported the delivery of urgent health and safety works at sites including Enniskillen, Slieve Gullion and Movilla Abbey, reducing the need for external contractors and delivering better value for money.
Notes to editors:
- Picture 1: Communities Minister Gordon Lyons met with some of the All-Island Heritage Skills Apprentices during a recent visit to the Moira Depot. The apprentices will be helping to safeguard Northern Ireland's historic environment for future generations.
- Picture 2: Communities Minister Gordon Lyons saw two cannons from Carrickfergus Castle that have received significant conservation work from his Department's Conservation Works Team in Moira.
- The All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme partners include the King’s Foundation, National Museums NI, the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITBNI) and the Heritage Council.
- Funded through a partnership approach, four participants on the All-Island Heritage Skills Programme from the UK are supported by National Lottery funding, while four participants from the Republic of Ireland are supported by the Heritage Council. The programme will run from 2026-27 until 2029-30.
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