The National Federation of Builders (NFB) participated in a high-level heritage roundtable at Parliament this week, chaired by Nigel Huddleston MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The event gathered senior leaders from across the heritage landscape, including representatives from Historic England, the National Trust, Historic Houses, the Heritage Alliance, and Historic Royal Palaces.
While the discussion covered the broader opportunities and challenges facing the heritage sector, the NFB successfully ensured that the vital role of construction heritage remained a central topic.
Sean Houlston, Head of Membership and Digital Services, outlined the significant scale of the heritage construction industry, which supports half of all jobs in the heritage economy and is crucial for the care of the UK’s estimated 6.5 million pre-1919 buildings.
Mr. Houlston highlighted the urgent workforce and training issues identified in the Heritage & Traditional Build Sector Skills Plan, specifically calling attention to:
- Skills shortages.
- Limited provision of specialist training.
- The essential need for long-term clarity regarding the heritage project pipeline.
Sean Houlston, NFB Head of Membership, commented: “Too often, construction heritage is overlooked in national conversations. Yet without the skilled craftspeople and contractors who maintain our historic buildings, the entire heritage sector simply cannot function. We need proper investment in skills, training, and long-term planning if we are to protect our nation’s historic fabric.”
The NFB confirmed it will continue to work closely with industry partners to drive forward the Sector Skills Plan and champion the needs of the construction workforce at the heart of the UK’s heritage sector. Members interested in supporting this work or joining the NFB Heritage Group are encouraged to contact the Membership Team.
