The National Federation of Builders took part in a high-level heritage roundtable in Parliament, chaired by Nigel Huddleston MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
Senior leaders from across the heritage landscape attended, including Historic England, the National Trust, Historic Houses, the Heritage Alliance and Historic Royal Palaces.
While the discussion explored the wider opportunities and challenges facing the heritage sector, the NFB ensured that construction heritage remained firmly on the agenda. Sean Houlston, Head of Membership and Digital Services, set out the scale and importance of heritage construction, which supports half of all jobs in the heritage economy and underpins the care of the UK’s 6.5 million pre-1919 buildings.
Sean drew attention to the urgent workforce and training issues highlighted in the Heritage & Traditional Build Sector Skills Plan, including skills shortages, limited specialist training provision and the need for long-term clarity on the heritage pipeline.
NFB Head of Membership, Sean Houlston said: “Too often, construction heritage is overlooked in national conversations. Yet without the skilled craftspeople and contractors who maintain our historic buildings, the entire heritage sector simply cannot function. We need proper investment in skills, training and long-term planning if we are to protect our nation’s historic fabric.”
The NFB will continue working with industry partners to drive forward the Sector Skills Plan and champion the needs of the construction workforce at the heart of the UK’s heritage. Members interested in supporting this work or joining our Heritage Group are encouraged to contact the NFB Membership Team.
