Heritage Building Skills Programme Work Placement  

Description and Person Specification  

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 apprenticeship positions specialising in heritage skills. You’ll have the chance to be hosted by an amazingly 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 Recclesia Limited. Please note that the Historic England benefits package will not apply for this role.

Work Placement Description  

Recclesia is a specialist multi-disciplined historic building conservation specialist with in-house skills in masonry conservation, stained glass conservation, and metalwork conservation. With workshops and conservation studios in Manchester and Chester, the company works all over the UK on a variety of conservation projects. 

As a trainee, you will work as part of a specialist team of conservators working with historic glass, stone, and metalwork. The principal focus of the placement will be on glass and glazing, but there will be opportunities to engage with other crafts and disciplines working on projects where multiple skillsets are required.  

Trainees will attend a 4  week residential Summer School (end July to 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. 

Placement Title: Stained Glass Trainee     

Host Organisation: Recclesia Ltd 

Placement Supervisor: Lee Bilson/Carlotta Cammelli  

Location of placement: Primary location: Unit 6 Agecroft Enterprise Park, Swinton, Manchester M27 8WA, with visits to Unit 3 St Ives Way, Sandycroft, Flintshire CH5 2QS. In addition, the candidate may have the opportunity to work on other projects around the UK.  

Salary :                       £12 per hour, based on a 40-hour week 

Period of Training:           6 Months 

Start date:             17th June 2024  

Completion date:           17th December 2024  

Attendance:          Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. 1 hour break split into 3 break times.

Overall Purpose of the Placement: 

This is a fixed-term, 6-month trainee role with Recclesia funded by Historic England. As a trainee, you will work as part of a specialist team of conservators working with historic glass, stone, and metalwork. The principal focus of the placement will be on glass and glazing, but there will be opportunities to engage with other crafts and disciplines working on projects where multiple skillsets are required. At the end of the 6-month placement, you will be conversant with the main principles of glass conservation work, will have an understanding of materials, will have experience of assisting with conservation techniques, site survey work, and site work to remove and reinstate historic fabric.  

Main Areas of Work: 

The trainee may be required to perform other duties or tasks as may be reasonably requested by Recclesia Ltd 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. 

Work will be both workshop and site based with significant amounts of working at height involved, as well as working on specialist areas of larger construction sites.  

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 glass skills.  

• An understanding of conservation principles. 

• Demonstrable understanding of health and safety requirements.  

Desirable: 

• An NVQ level 2 qualification or above in glass processing/glazing or similar traditional skills/conservation discipline. 

• Demonstrable artistic ability and/or interest in art history. 

• An understanding of the wider construction environment 

Skills  

Essential: 

• Demonstrable dexterity and ability to work with your hands. 

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

• Good communication skills, and ability to follow complex instructions. 

• Adaptable and flexible, able to work closely with others, and ability to work on one’s own initiative. 

Desirable: 

• Driving license and own transport. 

• Availability to work away on location. 

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 skills 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 an 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 appointment. Their decision will be final. 

Historic England and Recclesia Ltd reserves the right to change a Placement Specification description after consultation with the Trainee.  

Application Closing Date:    Sunday 14th April  2024

Potential Interview Dates: 13th -14th May 2024