How to get involved in the historic environment sector

As our historic environment is a finite and unique resource, care of it requires expert skills and knowledge. But these skills are often in short supply. Training to work in a technical, craft or construction role could offer you ample opportunities.

Look at My World of Work to see the full range of jobs available and more detail on the requirements for each role, including a breakdown of the subjects you could choose to study at school. And for more careers support and events, explore Developing the Young Workforce. 

There are many jobs to choose from, here are some examples:

Architecture

• Architect
• Architectural Technician 
• Architectural Technologist (Building Technologist) 

Engineering

• Civil Engineer 
• Structural Engineer
• Electrician
• Quarry Engineer 
• Materials Engineer 
• Mechanical Engineer

Surveying

• Building Surveyor
• Quantity Surveyor
• Land Surveyor 

Craft and traditional skills

• Joiner 
• Stonemason 
• Blacksmith
• Painter & Decorator
• Plasterer 
• Gardener 
• Roofer (could include Slater, Leadworker, Thatcher)
• Brick Layer
• Dry Stone Dyking
• Earth Builder
• Wall and Floor Tiler

Technical

• Collections Manager
• Digital Documentation & Innovation Manager
• Conservation Scientist
• Climate Change Scientist
• Applied Conservation (Conservator)
• Construction Manager
• Conservation Officer

Contact us at technicaleducation@hes.scot for more information on how to get involved with specialist occupations like a Thatcher or a Leadworker.

Explore more construction career profiles with Developing the Young Workforce [PDF, 61.92MB].

Hear from our people

We've spoken to people that work in both technical and construction roles, watch our short films, and read our case studies and blogs to find out more about these roles.

Explore a day in the life of a conservation scientist in our blog.

There are different ways that you can learn the skills and knowledge to work in the historic environment. Often your study choices should be guided by your interests or skills you have learned.

Qualifications in Scotland

There are lots of types of qualifications to choose from, these are structured by the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF scale). Their interactive framework explains the different types of qualifications that are available.

Explore the SCQF interactive framework.

It is worth considering what transferrable skills could be learnt when choosing your preferred study route. Remember, it’s quite usual for people to choose to specialise in building conservation and specific niche areas after their initial studies.

The main routes you can take to learn and train are with apprenticeships, and through courses at college and university. You can study part time for all the options below.

Apprenticeships in Scotland

• Foundation Apprenticeships are for S5 and S6 pupils to work with an employer and a college over a school year. You will gain the equivalent of a Higher
• Modern Apprenticeships are where you learn on the job, get paid and work towards a qualification
• Graduate Apprenticeships are where you learn on the job, get paid and work towards a degree level qualification

College courses in Scotland

• Higher National Certificates (HNCs) are work-related courses that take one year (full-time) to complete. They are a great first step into higher education
• Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) are work-related courses, that usually take two years (full-time) to complete
• Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) are work-based qualifications. Evidence is collected from your own work while on the job and submitted. No exams are included

University courses in Scotland

• Undergraduate courses are usually three to four years studying full time with a university. College options to study are also available
• Postgraduate courses are a higher level than undergraduate courses and take one to two years to complete
• PhDs are higher qualifications still and usually take four years to complete

Explore what university course you should study with UCAS.

Find out more about apprenticeships.

Other training programmes 

There are professional associations that run a range of training programmes, these include:  

• SPAB fellowships and scholarships 
• Scottish Lime Centre Trust 
• The Princes Foundation for the Built Environment
• Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Fund (QEST)

What we offer at Historic Environment Scotland

All of our opportunities are advertised on the Historic Environment Scotland recruitment webpages when they are available. 

We recommend signing up for recruitment alerts and to the Engine Shed newsletter so you’re first to hear about our opportunities.

We deliver nationally recognised courses, including stonemasonry and repair of traditional buildings, at our skills training centres in Elgin and Stirling.

Modern Apprenticeships

We offer various apprenticeships opportunities every year, many of them related to building conservation. In Elgin and Stirling, we run two stonemasonry training centres and are responsible for the training of local stonemason apprentices. We also employ apprentices in joinery, gardening, painting & decorating and electrical installation.

Conservation Trainee Programme

We offer opportunities for people to join us as a trainee and learn about specific fields of building conservation. As a trainee at Historic Environment Scotland you are employed and can work with teams across our organisation.

We annually recruit our trainees who work and learn together throughout their time with us. Trainees work with a mentor who helps them work towards their own CPD goals.

Craft Fellowship Programme

Our programme aims to support the traditional skills capacity across Scotland. Craft fellows are hosted and trained by master craftspeople throughout Scotland. Some of the traditional skills that our craft fellows have trained in are blacksmithing, stone carving, milling, boatbuilding and quarrying.

If you are interested in learning more about hosting a craft fellow, please contact us at traditionaleducation@hes.scot.

Learning doesn't stop after school, college or university. Learning will remain a constant throughout your life and career. So finding ways you enjoy learning and building habits that work for you is important. This is often referred to as Continual Professional Development, CPD for short.

Record and share your work

As you build your experience and skills, it is important to remember to record and share them in an engaging way. With many creative and craft roles, having a visual portfolio is a good way to share your work, this could be a video showreel, a selection of photos or printed technical drawings.

With other types of roles, you can showcase your achievements with a series of reflective blogs or project case studies. This means you can easily share the value of your work at future interviews and can help to make you stand out when applying to jobs. Even creating a simple CPD log will help you visualise how your learning is progressing.

Build your network

To succeed in the building conservation sector, it helps to build a network of people you can call on for help and advice. You can do this in person by getting to know people at conferences, at work or when volunteering alongside others. Network online by engaging with groups and discussions that reflect your interests.

Look out for learning opportunities

CPD is an important part of any career in building conservation. So look out for opportunities that exist with more formal training courses and workshops, and with self-directed study on e-learning courses, webinars and structured reading.

Opportunities to get involved in building conservation

There are lots of ways to take that first step. If you’re hoping to find out more, or try something new, here are some ways to consider doing this:

• look for outreach programmes from organisations like Historic Environment Scotland, the Scottish Traditional Building Forum, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and the Heritage Trust Network
• volunteering with your local heritage organisation or building preservation trust can be a great way to gain experience and build confidence
• attend a short course or event with the organisation you would like to know more about. For example the Summer School at the Engine Shed is a great introduction to traditional skills
• organise your school work experience or student placement at your local heritage organisation
  
  

To find information on specific organisations within the heritage sector, take a look at their websites:

Heritage Agencies 

• Historic Environment Scotland
• Historic England 
• Welsh Government's Historic Environment Service (Cadw)
• Northern Ireland Department of Communities 
• The National Lottery Heritage Fund
• The National Trust
• The National Trust for Scotland
• International Council on Monuments and Sites 
• British Geological Survey

Professional Bodies 

• The Royal Institute of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) 
• The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
• Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE)
• Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
• The Institute of Conservation (ICON)
• Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)
• Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB)
• Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
• Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Building Conservation organisations and charities

• Ancient Monument Society
• The Heritage Alliance
• Scottish Civic Trust
• Edinburgh World Heritage
• Traditional Buildings Health Check
• Cockburn Association
• Tay Landscape Partnership
• Historic Houses
• Save British Heritage
• Heritage Crafts Association
• Glasgow Building Preservation Trust
• The Churches Conservation Trust
• The Landmark Trust
• Archaeology Scotland
• Council for British Archaeology
• Buildings at Risk Register 

• Heritage Trust Network
• Stirling City Heritage Trust
• Fife Historic Buildings Trust
• Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust
• Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Highland Historic Buildings Trust
• Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust
• South Glasgow Heritage and Development Trust
• Aberdeen City Heritage Trust

 Forums and Networks 

• Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS)
• Welsh Traditional Building Forum (WTBF)
• Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland
• National Heritage Science Forum
• Ancient Monuments Society  
• The Association of Small Historic Towns and Villages of the UK 
• Black Environment Network 
• Welsh Traditional Buildings Forum
• National Heritage Ironwork Group
• Association for Studies in the Conservation of Historic Buildings
• Scottish Vernacular Buildings Working Group
• Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
• National Heritage Ironwork Group

Trade Associations 

• Scottish Building Federation
• National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NRFC)
• Conservation of Traditional Thatch Group
• Federation of Master Builders
• Stone Federation GB
• Lead Contractors Association

Training Providers 

• Heritage Trust Network 
• Scottish Lime Centre Trust 
• Earth Building UK and Ireland (EBUKI)

General Built Environment 

• Architecture and Design Scotland
• Scottish Canals