The Welsh Government's historic environment service, Cadw, is
searching for three new trainee stonemasons to join and train
alongside its team of professional stonemasons.
With roughly one third of Wales's buildings constructed from
traditional materials – solid stone, brick or pre-1919 timber
framing – the demand for skilled stonemasons and conservation
professionals has never been greater.
These characterful buildings shape towns and streets across
Wales, yet there's an increasing struggle to find craftspeople
with the expertise to care for them properly.
This one-off traineeship will see three stonemasons recruited to
work alongside Cadw's in-house professional heritage skills team,
Cadwraeth Cymru. The trainees will undertake a dedicated two-year
training programme leading to an NVQ3 qualification in Heritage
Masonry, gaining hands-on experience whilst being mentored by
expert conservation masons.
As well as practical training, the trainees will have
opportunities to engage with the public and participate in events
showcasing heritage skills.
On Thursday, as part of a special day of culture at St Fagans
National Museum of History, several Cadw stonemasons showed off
their talents and skills to members of the public, demonstrating
the expertise that potential trainees could develop.
Whilst visiting, Minister for Culture and Skills , said:
"Every historic building in Wales tells a story – of the
people who built it, lived in it, and cared for it through the
generations. By investing in heritage training, we're ensuring
that future generations can continue to care for the distinctive
buildings that give character and identity to our towns, villages
and cities.“
A key concern facing the heritage sector is an ageing workforce
with too few opportunities for young people to enter these
rewarding professions.
Fleur Gordon, Head of Monument Conservation at Cadw,
said:
"Traditional buildings need traditional skills, and at Cadw
we looking to create career pathways that will help young people
find their way into this rewarding and essential work.
“Caring for our many historic buildings and monuments in
Wales requires dedication and expertise. By training the next
generation of stonemasons and conservation specialists, we're not
just preserving buildings; we're safeguarding the skills,
knowledge and craftsmanship that have shaped our nation's
identity for centuries."
The closing date for applications is 27 November 2025 and details
can be found by searching Work for Cadw | Cadw.
