Canals and their historic environments require regular maintenance from people specialised in stonemasonry and heritage engineering. But an ageing workforce and limited access to training opportunities adds to the challenge of preserving built heritage.
Responding to this skills crisis, Scottish Canals are working in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland on this project to help ensure that the nation’s canals, castles, aqueducts and forts have professionals skilled in caring for them.
Purpose-built workshops, stores, offices and training spaces in the regenerated canal-side centre will develop and deliver apprenticeships in stonemasonry and rural skills, qualifications in traditional building conservation and volunteering opportunities.
An outreach programme within the local community including skills festivals and demonstrations will open doors to school and youth groups and inspire the next generation of engineers and artisans.
Lock 16 will also create a Scotland-wide network for sharing heritage skills, promoting pathways for employment and fostering innovation with other organisations caring for historic structures.
We’ve awarded £3.7million in funding to the project, which has also £4m in backing from the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal. The project hopes the regeneration will create around 25 jobs and an estimated £44.5million in economic value over 10 years.
John Paterson, Chief Executive Officer at Scottish Canals, said: “Scotland’s Centre of Excellence for Canals and Traditional Skills will support workplace learning and apprenticeship training programmes developing new opportunities for the people of Falkirk and beyond.”
Find out more about heritage projects we’re supporting across Scotland.
