CITB aims to get funding for the heritage sector

Getting companies and funding organisations investing in the heritage sector will be the main drive for the Construction Industry Training Board's first heritage manager Beverley Peters.

Appointed two weeks ago, Peters heads up the National Heritage Training Group (NHTG), which wants to secure greater investment in craft skills. Heritage work has an annual spend of £6bn and is worth 6% of repair and maintenance work.

Peters' future work will include greater research into the exact skills gap in the heritage sector.

Work will also be carried out into the promotion of the heritage sector, developing new links with training providers and helping retain older workers by creating a master craftsman scheme.

NHTG has already produced a careers brochure for the heritage sector and is working on a business plan for the coming year.

Peters said: "I will also be looking to help influence Learning Skills Councils and Regional Development Agencies for greater investment."