Hannah StrandWe reported to you earlier in the month about the 60th anniversary of the North York Moors Park.
Since then, an apprenticeship scheme has been announced, granting three lucky 16-19 year olds the opportunity to retain the expertise of some of the most experienced workers in the national park. The scheme aims to pass on skills and knowledge to a younger generation in the of hope of them getting a qualification of great need. With this qualification, an NVQ level two in a building craft, the apprentices can then build on the experience and help them develop a career in conserving the heritage of the area.
The North York Moors is the breath-taking mixture of both costal and woodland landscape at a 1,436km2 in size with a population of twenty-five thousand. The three lucky winners will be based on estates in area and will focus on a specific craft such as masonry, brickwork or carpentry. However this is not all, the apprentices will also spend time with the English Heritage learning about the management of archaeological earthwork and National Park Authority’s conservation teams, York College and University of York’s Centre for Conservation Studies will provide advice and guidance along the two year journey.
At the end of the scheme, the three will be awarded their NVQ’s at York Minster in a ceremony very much similar to the one late last year.
This is all part of a valuable initiative to provide apprenticeships with the recognition they so rightly deserve.
Sophie Norton, Fellow for Traditional Building Skills at the Centre for Conservation Studies, at the University of York commented on the scheme explaining that: “High quality practical training will ensure that the apprentices are able to conserve buildings in accordance with good practice, using sought after skills that will help them protect the valuable built heritage of North Yorkshire in a sustainable way.”
This is a positive step forward, for not only the North York Moors, but conservation work in general. Looking towards the future to help protect and preserve the past is not only a fantastic opportunity for those whom apply, but for the National Park, because the knowledge and experience of those whom had worked there for decades will be kept alive.
To apply for the scheme, visit the website from the end of January. If you wish to get more information before then however, please contact Sophie Norton at sophie.norton@york.ac.uk or 01904 323950
