In 2019, the world watched as flames consumed the Notre Dame Cathedral, an irreplaceable cultural treasure. Yet, against all odds, the cathedral is poised to reopen this year, a testament to extraordinary skill and determination. In stark contrast UK restoration projects can take decades – or fail to materialise in favour of demolition. In this article, Dr Eric Lybeck argues that these timelines aren’t just cautionary; they’re symptomatic of a deeper crisis – the lack of heritage skills in the UK.

• Heritage buildings are an integral part of the UK’s built environment – but their sustainability and existence are threatened by a lack of expertise in their maintenance and restoration.
• The current education system lacks pathways into this kind of skilled, practical work.
• Policy must recognise the environmental and cultural value of preservation, whilst also addressing the heritage workforce gap.

The numbers don’t lie

Heritage skills aren’t merely a niche concern—they underpin the sustainability and character of our built environment. With 20% of the UK’s building stock dating pre-1900, one might expect heritage skills to dominate construction training. Yet only 1% of courses incorporate heritage elements, with the overwhelming majority focused on modern construction methods. This misalignment becomes critical as we face dual crises: preserving historic buildings and meeting ambitious climate targets.

Retrofitting is central to the UK’s climate strategy, with an estimated 85,000 jobs required to bring Britain’s infrastructure in line with its emissions goals. Yet, retrofitting Victorian or earlier buildings demands techniques that differ vastly from those for modern structures. Excluding these older buildings from green grant schemes, as many policies do, condemns them to inefficiency and energy waste. Without urgent action to train craftspeople in both heritage restoration and sustainable retrofitting, we risk leaving these buildings in an unsustainable condition or, we incentivise their destruction in favour of buildings deemed ‘greener’, but only by neglecting to account for embodied carbon: the greenest building is the one that already exists.

Why aren’t we training more heritage craftspeople?

The issue runs deeper than policy oversight—it stems from structural challenges within our education system. Traditional methods of passing on heritage skills, such as the master-apprentice model, are nearly extinct. Further education (FE) colleges, where such skills could thrive, face business models that favour large, uniform cohorts over the bespoke training heritage crafts require. Safeguarding regulations – undoubtedly important concerns – have unintended consequences that effective ban one-on-one mentorships over extended time required for practical mastery.

As a result, heritage skills are not only scarce—they are becoming endangered and even extinct. This scarcity inflates costs and lengthens project timelines, further disincentivising investments in historic building restoration. Yet, for those trained in these fields, the rewards are immense: high demand, job security, and the satisfaction of working to preserve England’s cultural legacy.

Breaking the myth: heritage is “not for kids these days”

The persistent belief that today’s youth lack interest in heritage is counterproductive and often anecdotal. Most young people are enthusiastic about meaningful, impactful careers and will pursue education to obtain these opportunities. What is missing isn’t interest but exposure. Primary and secondary schools have largely abandoned woodworking and traditional crafts, severing early pathways into these trades. In contrast, past generations valued vocational training alongside academic training throughout primary and secondary schooling, knowing that any rounded student should know how to work with both head and hands.

Moreover, heritage skills need not be exclusive to young learners. Modular courses for reskilling and upskilling adult learners could offer flexible, accessible pathways into these rewarding fields. Many successful tradespeople have found traditional education unsuited to their needs and work. This raises a critical question: is it the education system itself—focused narrowly on standardised examinations over practical, project-based learning—that is failing them? By adopting more inclusive educational models and alternative pedagogies, such as the Sloyd method developed in Scandinavia – we could reintegrate the hands-on, craft-based work necessary for heritage skills back into the traditional educational system.  In this way, we could breakdown the distinction between ‘academic’ and ‘vocational’ students and encourage everyone to develop their capabilities in both theory and practice.

Neither should we think of ‘heritage’ and ‘conservation’ as backward looking, for within these building arts traditions a range of technologies and innovations have and will continue to be developed. Indeed, in a global business and policy context that encourages ‘innovation’ above all else, perhaps the UK could become a leader in the fields of retrofitting, restoration and adaptation for new social and environmental conditions. Through investment in these skills and industries, we can pass down both our tangible and intangible heritage to generations.  And, with so much work to be done – that is, with such a stock of old buildings – we could cultivate a healthy pipeline of talent equipped to tackle both heritage preservation and climate challenges.

Learning from global models

The UK need not start from scratch. Institutions abroad demonstrate how heritage education can flourish. The North Bennet Street School in Boston and the American College of Building Arts in Charleston combine rigorous craft training with liberal arts education, producing highly skilled professionals. Closer to home, Dumfries House in Scotland offers a model where small cohorts receive hands-on training, culminating in real-world restoration projects.

Current work I am leading at The University of Manchester is inspired by these examples and involves partnering with a heritage building firm with a track record of restoring Victorian-era structures. Heritage builder Duncan Craft has been instrumental in discussing these problems and policies in recent years. Together we are exploring opportunities in Southport, particularly within the Grade II listed Wayfarers Arcade. These efforts not only celebrate history but also reimagine its relevance in a sustainable future.

Reviving heritage through education and policy

Our discussions have led to exciting possibilities. There is real potential for restoration projects like Southport’s Victoria Baths to became dual-purpose spaces for training and community use. By integrating education into restoration, we could simultaneously preserve historic sites and equip a new generation of craftspeople.

But local initiatives can only go so far without supportive national policies. Here are three key changes that could transform the heritage skills landscape:

• Embed embodied carbon in policy. Green policies must account for the carbon cost of demolition and new construction. Recognising the environmental value of preserving existing buildings could shift the balance toward restoration over replacement.
• Equalise VAT rates. Current VAT rules favour new builds with a 5% rate, while restoration and retrofitting face a 20% tax. Equalising these rates—or introducing “retrofit zones”—could incentivise preservation and sustainable upgrades.
• Invest in specialist vocational schools. To rebuild the heritage workforce, we must rethink vocational education. Small, place-based programs can provide the intensive training needed to master these crafts, ensuring they’re both locally rooted and nationally recognized.

A Call to Action

The time to act is now. The UK’s heritage isn’t just a relic of the past—it’s a foundation for our future. By addressing the skills gap, we preserve more than buildings; we preserve stories, communities, and a sense of place. From the grandeur of Westminster to the modest charm of local terraces, every restoration is a testament to the talent and dedication of those who believe in building something to last. If we are to honour this legacy, we must invest in the next generation of craftspeople who can deliver our cultural inheritance to the future.