Heritage Skills Trainer
Deliver craft skills training in traditional building, land management, and applied heritage skills — supporting apprenticeships, community programmes, and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage objectives.
Moderate
High
8–12 years: craft mastery (5–8 years in the primary skill), plus teaching qualification (1–2 years), before establishing as a credible training practitioner
Master-level craft competency in at least one heritage skill (NSMT Master Thatcher, DSWA Master Craftsman, SPAB-recognised lime practitioner, or equivalent); teaching qualification (AET Level 3, PGCE, or equivalent); HCA membership advantageous
common
What you do
Heritage skills trainers design and deliver training in one or more traditional craft or land management skills — thatching, lime work, stonework, blacksmithing, hedge laying, coppicing, hurdle making, green woodwork, and related disciplines — in the context of apprenticeship training delivery, heritage sector skills programmes, community heritage education, and conservation organisation workforce development. The role combines deep practical skill in the craft being taught with the pedagogical and assessment knowledge required to deliver accredited and non-accredited training effectively.
Trainers working within apprenticeship frameworks must understand End Point Assessment requirements, maintain off-the-job training records, deliver structured knowledge and skills teaching alongside mentored practical work, and support employers in meeting their training obligations. Those working within Heritage Craft Association (HCA) and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) frameworks may deliver community engagement programmes, support endangered craft practitioners, and contribute to safeguarding documentation.
The Heritage Craft Association is the principal professional organisation supporting traditional craft and heritage skills training in the UK. The Historic England Skills and Training programme, the Heritage Lottery Fund's (now National Lottery Heritage Fund) Skills and Workforce Development grants, and government apprenticeship levy funding all support training delivery in heritage skills. Teaching qualification (PGCE, AET, or equivalent) is increasingly expected for regulated training delivery.
Why this career is resilient
The UK's heritage skills workforce faces a widely documented succession crisis — ageing practitioners and insufficient new entrants in thatching, lime work, stone carving, and other craft trades. Government awareness of this, the National Lottery Heritage Fund's workforce strand, and Historic England's skills programme create consistent funded demand for training delivery. UNESCO ICH listing processes and safeguarding obligations increase policy support for endangered craft training. Heritage skills trainers who hold both genuine craft mastery and teaching qualification are positioned at the intersection of two sustained funding streams and occupy a scarce, high-value professional role.
A typical day
Morning: deliver a lime plastering course morning session at a heritage building centre — brief the six students on lime chemistry, safety, and mixing method; demonstrate the preparation of a traditional putty lime float coat; supervise students applying their first coat on a practice wall. Afternoon: off-site — meet an apprentice thatcher at their employer's site for a monthly off-the-job training visit; review their progress record, observe a section of work, provide structured feedback, and update the apprenticeship portfolio. End of day: prepare a session plan for the following week's course and review two student assessment submissions.
Routes in
Full-time college course
Study full-time at a further education college, usually for 1–2 years. You will need to fund yourself or apply for a student loan (available for Level 4+ courses).
Employer-funded training
Some employers — particularly the NHS, emergency services, and larger care providers — run their own funded training programmes. You apply for a job and train as you work.
Pay and costs
Earning potential: Part-time heritage skills trainer alongside own contracting: £10,000–£20,000 from training. Full-time trainer employed by a heritage centre or training provider: £28,000–£42,000. Freelance specialist trainer: £35,000–£55,000.
Training costs: AET Level 3 teaching qualification: £400–£1,200. Teaching materials and course resources: £200–£600/year. HCA membership: approximately £40–£80/year.