Programme to train more people into the heritage industry receives Construction Employability Award 2024/25

A Gloucestershire heritage organisation, which trains lime plasterers of the future, can now take on 50 more students after receiving an award from B&CE Charitable Trust¹.

The Charitable Trust has chosen CarringtonLIME Heritage Skills Training C.I.C² to be the recipient of its £20,000 Construction Employability Award 2024/25.

CarringtonLIME, a Community Interest Company, based in Mitcheldean, runs heritage construction and skills training, predominantly in lime plastering. The award will enable the company to expand their fully funded national Heritage Plastering programme.

The company is currently the only heritage training provider in the UK offering a full career path into the ancient art of lime plastering. With over 300 students trained annually—ranging from tradespeople to architects and surveyors—the programme equips students with a deep understanding of heritage construction. Participants gain practical skills in creating high-quality lime plaster mixes, understanding site operations, and ultimately gaining the confidence to secure work in the field.

The Construction Employability Award, offered by B&CE Charitable Trust, is an award that supports organisations in developing new talent within the construction sector. It is open to organisations that provide trade-specific training, apprenticeships, and access to skills development. Additionally, the award highlights those who provide support around mental well-being and personal disadvantages in the workplace.

Faye Sewell, Corporate Relationship Manager for the Charitable Trust, said: “The award’s judges were impressed with the significant impact that CarringtonLIME Heritage Skills Training C.I.C has on the heritage industry, both locally and nationally, and it is fantastic to see the company continue to encourage training and employment in this area of construction.

“There is a national shortage of heritage building skills here in the UK, so it is particularly exciting that the award will be used to enable students to gain the skills and confidence they need to begin and continue successful careers in lime plastering. It is vital that these labour skills are not lost forever.”

On receiving the award, Kate Kerslake, the Director of CarringtonLIME said:

“Our goal is to get more skilled tradespeople on the ground, and that’s why receiving this award is so fantastic – it’s about getting people into the industry through fully funded training and qualifications.

“The UK is facing a shortage of heritage skills, and while we are already making significant strides in addressing this issue, we know there’s more to be done to break down training and financial barriers. We want to give people a step up, helping them start their journey in the right way, with a clear career path forward.

“With this award, we will be able to offer more people a qualified route into the heritage industry, whether they’re a school leaver, a career changer, or someone with 25 years of experience but no formal qualifications. This award will have a big impact on both the local industry and beyond.”

Applications for The Construction Employability Award 2025/26 are set to open in September 2025. Find out more about the Construction Employability Award and sign up to our newsletter to receive updates.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. B&CE’s Charitable Trust was set up in 1991 to give back to the construction industry by providing help for people working in construction in times of need, including grants towards education, financial support and retraining. It has given out more than £4 million in charitable donations over the past 30 years. Over the course of the last decade, the Trust has helped multiple businesses who’ve demonstrated their commitment to improving employability in construction, including mental health and wellbeing, mentoring to disadvantaged young people and youth unemployment. First called the Mowlem Award, the award’s name was changed in 2023 to better reflect the purpose of the award.
2. CarringtonLIME Heritage Skills C.I.C was established in 2020 as a Community Interest Company in response to the UK’s shortage of Heritage Building Skills. They are now the largest provider of lime courses in the UK, running courses throughout the year in a dedicated training centre. They are the only course provider that offer progressive courses that take students from complete beginner all the way to professional with formal qualifications. More information about the Heritage Plastering programme can be found on the CarringtonLIME website.

For further details, please contact Sarah Puttock, press office at the Charitable Trust on 01293 205004 or sarahputtock@peoplespartnership.co.uk.