Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has completed two pre-apprenticeship schemes in collaboration with Fife Council, Fife College, and The Ridge Foundations.

Launched in September 2023, these initiatives provided practical training in craft and traditional skills, supplemented by work experience and employability coaching.

The aim was to offer a unique opportunity for individuals to develop heritage skills.

The pre-apprenticeships serve as a valuable pathway for individuals uncertain about committing to a full apprenticeship or those seeking to gain more experience before pursuing a modern apprenticeship.

Since their inception, the schemes have trained 36 individuals in key skills such as roofing, joinery, and stonemasonry, with some participants already advancing to further apprenticeships or careers in traditional crafts.

This announcement coincided with Heritage Careers Week, an initiative to highlight the diversity of career paths within the heritage sector.

Sean Frost and Aidan Paterson, participants in The Ridge Foundations’ course earlier this year, said: “It was a really interesting course, we liked the practical skills in particular and it was great to be part of a wee team.

"We have both gone on to become trainee stonemasons and without the programme we would not have known that this was the career for us."

The success of the programme is attributed to the collaboration between HES and its project partners.

Fife Council, Fife College, and The Ridge Foundations in East Lothian tailored the delivery based on their extensive experience in construction and traditional skills.

Karyn McGhee, craft skills programme manager at The Engine Shed, HES’s dedicated building conservation centre in Stirling, said: "These pilot projects have shown the incredible potential of pre-apprenticeships in attracting new talent to the heritage sector.

"Participants have gained invaluable practical experience and a qualification that will serve as a strong foundation for their future careers."

Robbie Reid, head of skills training and design at The Ridge Foundations, said: "We at TRF have been delighted to partner with HES on these programmes.

"We delivered the majority of the courses in-house and colleagues from across The Ridge provided a person-centred course, whereby we worked with and supported each of the participants to make sure they get the most out of the programme.

"This is invaluable in giving participants an insight into future careers in the heritage skills sector, which we are heavily involved in, as well as support and guidance from experienced professionals.

"All but one of our attendees has gone on to a role linked to what they learned on the most recent course, and we continue to provide support to all of those who have been involved."

HES is now working on plans to expand the pre-apprenticeship opportunities, broadening access to heritage skills training across Scotland.