The Facade Preservation Apprenticeship is a CITB course run by StoneTrain, the training arm of Stone Federation Great Britain (contact Ian Major on ian.major@stonetrain.org.uk), facilitated by Priestman Associates LLP. It attracts CITB grants of £7,650 per person (which can rise to £9,333 under certain circumstances), although the Specialist Apprenticeship Programme (SAP) only costs £5,997 per person (so employers are normally in pocket at the end of the programme).

A SAP lasts 2 years, with the learner being mentored on-site by the employer and spending 20 days at off-site training.

The off-site modules include (theory and practical):

• Health & Safety Awareness
• Conservation Controls & Philosophies
• Temporary Surface Protection
• Substrates & Mortars
• Health, Safety and Specific Issues related to Chemical Cleaning
• Health, Safety and Specific Issues related to Water Cleaning
• Health, Safety and Specific Issues related to Abrasive Cleaning
• Stone & Brick Repair
• Pointing & Jointing

The employer also commits to putting the learner through first aid, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPS) and International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) training. The learner will be assessed for a Level 2 NVQ in Façade Preservation as a cleaner, restorer or both at no extra cost.

For experienced workers (two or more years’ experience) there is on-site assessment (OSAT) Level 2 NVQ in Facade Preservation (cleaner or restorer). This is offered by Priestman Associates throughout the UK (and overseas). The fee is £1,250 per person (with discounts available if firms enrol more than one employee). The CITB provides an achievement grant to registered firms of £400 per person. David Priestman is the point of contact for enrolments / questions (office@priestmanweb.com).