We are the public body that looks after England’s historic environment. We champion historic places to help people understand, value and care for them. We have unrivalled opportunities for a variety of construction trainee and apprenticeships positions specialising in heritage skills. You’ll have the chance to be hosted by an amazing committed, dedicated and expert host construction organisation throughout your time with us. Your programme of learning will be generously grant funded by Historic England however you will be employed directly by Calibre Conservation. Please note that the Historic England benefits package will not apply for this role.

Architectural conservation is the core of Calibre Conservation’s business. Focussing on the conservation and repair of historic structures and interiors, we specialise in a wide range of conservation skills, including: painting and gilding, stone and masonry, brickwork, faience and terracotta, and monuments and sculpture.  

Calibre delivers projects, efficiently and professionally, throughout the UK. As such, travel and overnight stays will be required. Working in specialist teams, we take pride in collaboration and the sharing of knowledge. Combining traditional and modern materials, and techniques, we look to sustain the integrity of the building and its inherent heritage values, so that they can be enjoyed and understood by present and future generations.  

Trainees will attend a 4 week residential Summer School (end July-August, 2024), hosted by Historic England, where they will have the opportunity to integrate with other trainees and specialists at Historic England, to share knowledge and practice conservation as an interdisciplinary activity. 

This is a fixed-term, 6-month trainee opportunity with Calibre Conservation funded by ‘Historic England’. As a trainee, you will work as part of specialist teams, working on a diverse range of projects, including historic decorative surfaces at Towneley Hall (Burnley, Lancashire), brickwork at Dartford Gun Powder Mills (Wilmington, Kent), and a bronze sculpture, currently located in Leicester City’s Market (John Henry Manners, 1778–1857, 5th Duke of Rutland, Leicester). 

Calibre specialises in the conservation of historic decorative surfaces, including hand-painted decoration, stencilling, historic paint effects and gilding, on plaster, timber, canvas, metal, stone, and composite materials. Trainees will have the opportunity to work on the historic interiors at Towneley Hall, including consolidation and repair of stucco, dry and wet cleaning, paint removal, loss compensation and replacement, in-filling, in-painting, reinstatement of historic decorative schemes (flatwork and paint effects), oil gilding and application of coatings.  

Specialists in the conservation of brickwork and masonry, trainees will work as part of a team to repair the structural remains of the Dartford Gun Powder Mills. Works will include treatment or removal of vegetation and biological material, graffiti removal, repointing, repairing cracks or fractures, brick replacement, dismantling and reinstating brickwork. 

You will also have the opportunity to be part of a team that specialises in the conservation of bronze sculptures. Works will include dismantling the monument and transporting it back to the workshop in Saxilby, Lincolnshire. Here, we will remove inappropriate interventions and core materials, remove damaging deposits, deteriorating coatings and active corrosion products, and repair splits and holes by flame welding, brazing and soldering. We will then re-patinate the bronze and apply a protective microcrystalline wax coating and, finally, transport, relocate and rebuild the monument.  

 Main Areas of Work: 

• To carry out the preparation and application of conservation works, as directed, under supervision. 

• To gain experience in a variety of conservation techniques, in order to meet the training targets as specified in the required ‘Individual Training Plan’. 

• To gain experience of working on site in various environments, including working at height and throughout the country including in Kent Downs National Park.  

• To be accountable for your own development by undertaking and completing records in accordance with the Trainee Agreement.  

• To follow specific instructions from your Host Organisation.   

• To ensure that all work is undertaken in line with the Host Organisation’s policies and rules, and those of Historic England’s Heritage Building Skills Programme.  

• To be accountable for the health and safety of yourself and others, who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.   

The Trainee may be required to perform other duties or tasks as may be reasonably requested by the Host Organisation, and will be expected to work within the Trainee Agreement. We are an equal opportunity company, which values diversity and inclusion. If you have a disability, we would be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the job with you. 

Person Specification  

The Placement Specification attached outlines the main areas of work incorporated in the Placement. To be successful, your application should clearly illustrate how you meet the following criteria. The selection process will assess your suitability further. 

Knowledge  

Essential: 

• Knowledge or interest in traditional decorative skills including demonstrable artistic ability.  

Desirable: 

• An NVQ level 2 qualification or above in painting and decorating or a similar transferable subject.  

Skills  

Essential: 

• Evidence of having worked in painting and decorating or an artistic field with a transferable skillset.  

• Proven ability to work at heights and in a variety of weather conditions. 

• Good communication skills. 

• Adaptable and flexible, with proven qualities as a strong team player, able to work closely with others, and ability to work on one’s own initiative 

Desirable: 

•  Driving licence and owns own transport 

Experience  

Essential: 

• Proven ability to absorb and apply new technical information 

• Proven ability to work to required standards and to understand and use the appropriate methods, tools and applications. 

• Proven ability to take responsibility for professional development. 

Desirable: 

• Experience of working in the built environment or a desire to transfer artistic talents into this area. 

Motivation  

Essential: 

• An eagerness, commitment and passion to move into a career within the built heritage sector. 

• Willingness to travel and work at various project sites.  

Application and Selection Procedure 

Please complete the required Application Form. 

The candidates, whose applications demonstrate knowledge, skills, motivation experience and abilities which best match those we are looking for, will be invited to interview. It is therefore essential for your application to give a full and concise description of the nature, extent and level of your experience and responsibilities you have held. 

We will only be contacting applicants who are successful in being shortlisted for interview and would like to thank those who are unsuccessful for taking the time to apply for the Placement. 

The recruitment panel will select the candidate most suitable for Placement appointment.  Their decision will be final. 

Historic England reserves the right to change a Placement Specification description after consultation with the Trainees and Host Organisation concerned. 

Application Closing Date: Sunday 14th April 

Potential Interview dates: 29th and 30th April