Communities Minister 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:
- 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.
