Prince Charles backs craft skills

Prince Charles has stepped in with an offer of cash aid to help head off construction's mounting skills famine.

A number of scholarships worth up to £5,000 for people to develop their traditional building craft skills are being offered by The Prince's Foundation - the body headed by Prince Charles that aims to promote "a return to human values in architectural design, building and regeneration". The scholarships are designed to assist those working to create, restore, or conserve the built environment using traditional skills and materials.

Applications are being invited from those currently engaged in the building crafts to pursue further study, training or practical experience.

The scheme covers stonemasonry, carpentry, joinery, bricklaying, roofing and tiling, plastering, glazing, thatching and metalwork.

The scholarships may be used to undertake work experience in the UK or abroad, to focus on a particular job or project, or to attend short courses.

Application forms are available from the foundation at 19 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3SG. Closing date is 31 October and the awards will be made next January.