Scottish Traditional Building Skills Audit Scoping ... - Historic Scotland

Executive
Summary
Background and purpose of the Scottish Traditional Building Skills Audit
Scoping Exercise (STBSASE)
Traditionally constructed (pre 1919) dwellings make up approximately 20% of
Scotland’s building stock 3 . The Scottish construction Industry generates £12
billion 4 of turnover, and represents over 7% of the Scottish economy in terms of
gross domestic product at basic prices. Repair, maintenance and improvement
accounts for approximately 46% of the total construction industry output, of
which one third relates directly to pre 1919 buildings (accounting for
approximately £1.2 billion).
It is therefore fundamental that an appropriately skilled workforce with
understanding and knowledge of traditional buildings is available to care for these
properties; both in the interests of the sustainability of the building stock, and the
welfare of building users and occupants. Poorly designed and executed works
carry serious health and safety risks as highlighted in 2000 by the tragic Ryan’s Bar
incident in Edinburgh which resulted in a fatality.
This report is designed to follow up and develop recent studies by the National
Heritage Training Group, Scottish Stone Liaison Group and others to assess and
quantify existing training opportunities and to identify gaps in current
qualification provision. This is the first action in the Strategic Partnership
Agreement between Historic Scotland, ConstructionSkills and the Scottish
Qualifications Authority in this area and will build on the successful introduction in
2008 of the National Progression Award in Masonry Conservation. Scottish
Enterprise are also a key partner in the STBSASE, with the Scottish Stone Liaison
Group, Glasgow Metropolitan College, Edinburgh’s Telford College, Learn Direct &
Build, The Scottish Building Federation and Skills Development Scotland sitting on
the project board.
3 The Scottish Housing Conditions Survey (SHCS)
2002, taken from the National Heritage Training
Group’s 2007 report Skills Needs Analysis of The
Built Heritage Sector in Scotland 2007
4 Annual Business Inquiry, 2006, taken from the
National Heritage Training Group’s 2007 report
Skills Needs Analysis of The Built Heritage Sector
in Scotland 2007
Scottish Traditional Building Skills Audit Scoping Exercise
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