54 CONTEXT 180 : JUNE 2024 labouring), the highest-quality workmanship winning a prize. In the final two weeks, the group came back together to work on banker masonry and repairing the floor slabs at the Ionic Temple, while also visiting the Camellia House to support the removal of sash windows and other works. The main drawbacks of integrating training into live-site conservation related to construction programming. For example, a delay in the stone delivery meant that trainees were not involved in the decorative stone replacement at the Ionic Temple. They also missed the scaffold being removed. However, the training was otherwise very successful. Anecdotal feedback from Heritage Masonry Contracts, the specialist firm that oversaw most of the Ionic Temple works, suggested a positive experience. They were pleased with the trainees themselves, who were eager to listen and perform well in their effort to learn. The HBS programme team believes that this reflects the structured recruitment process HE used to appoint each trainee. Conclusion This project is innovative for enabling large cohorts of trainees to participate in heritage, in a scenario that complied with public-sector procurement and other construction-sector regulations. In other acclaimed live-site training projects, only one of these conditions tends to be achieved. For example: • While works to HE’s Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings fully complied with all regulations, the live-site training was offered to trainees on an individual basis, and large groups were invited to site as visitors. • At the Landmark Trust’s sector-based, work academy programme at Calverley Old Hall, up to 12 adults developed their skills and experience in traditional craft skills and methods. The construction works were delivered according to necessary publicprocurement regulations, but most of the practical training took place in an area next to the active site. As at Shrewsbury, groups attended the live site as visitors. • The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings’ Old House Project in Kent is conserving a highly significant building at risk through a multi-year training project, comprised of a series of SPAB’s flagship working parties and training courses. Although this work takes place outside the public-procurement obligations, a selection process for the lead professional and main contractor contracts built in time for training, courses and site visits. This project is therefore most similar to the Ionic Temple works. Several factors contributed to the success of the live-site training at the Ionic Temple. In addition to WWPT’s enthusiasm, the experienced project team, the limited scale and complexity of project works, and positive procurement process, the skill, reliability and keenness of trainees to learn should be noted. Because trainees were all known to HE well, the contractors were aware of their ability beforehand and were able to plan accordingly. In addition, HE’s high-profile campaign to recruit the trainees, which attracted 307 applicants for 19 positions and has been commended by the HBS programme’s thirdparty evaluator, contributed to the trainees’ positive attitude. This is turn led to a positive experience for the contractor. Future work HE would like to be able to deliver more opportunities for live-site training on heritage construction sites. Ideally this will be supported by grant-giving and so will imitate the Ionic Temple more than any other live-site training we are aware of. Readers should get in touch with us at heritagebuildingskills@historicengland.org.uk if they are interested in adopting this model, or if there are other live-site training projects for us to learn from. Sean Knight is director at Heritage Masonry Contracts; Sophie Norton, sector skills manager at Historic England; Dorian Proudfoot, director at Donald Insall Associates; and Joseph Tong, trainee placement coordinator at Historic England. The Ionic Temple before works. Although its stable condition meant that it was not considered to be at risk in its own right, it forms part of the setting of the at-risk mansion and Camellia House. (Photo: Historic England) Tier 2 trainees discussing the significance of the Ionic Temple with the architect (Photo: Historic England)
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