This apprenticeship standard has been approved for delivery by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. However, starts on the apprenticeship will only be possible once a suitable end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) has obtained Ofqual recognition. Once the EPAO has obtained Ofqual recognition, funding for apprentice starts will be permitted and this message will be removed.

Key information

  1. Status: Approved for delivery (paused for starts)
  2. Reference: ST1105
  3. Version: 1.0
  4. Level: 5
  5. Typical duration to gateway: 24 months
  6. Typical EPA period: 5 months
  7. Maximum funding: £8000
  8. Route: Construction and the built environment
  9. Date updated: 27/10/2023
  10. Approved for delivery: 26 October 2023
  11. Lars code: 735
  12. EQA provider: Ofqual is the intended EQA provider
  13. Review: this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.

Contents

Contents

Apprenticeship summary

Overview of the role

Ensure the maintenance of heritage properties through construction projects that repair, restore, adapt, alter or retrofit historic buildings and heritage assets.

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the historic environment, construction, building conservation and cultural heritage sectors.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to ensure the maintenance of heritage properties through construction projects that repair, restore, adapt, alter or retrofit historic buildings and heritage assets, doing so according to their significance and performance. Historic buildings and heritage assets are generally considered to include whole buildings, parts of buildings, ancillary structures, monuments, and other architectural features such as garden structures, walls and paving that were built before 1919, or those that are built using traditional methods and materials, including structures protected by legislation such as Listed Buildings, Scheduled Ancient Monuments and those within Conservation Areas. Heritage Construction Specialists oversee work related to the fabric of a building or structure and its internal and external features and settings. They combine practical construction skills with their knowledge of traditional materials, practices and the way each building performs holistically, to inform the conservation and construction techniques they use when managing and leading on historic building projects.

 The Heritage Construction Specialist is typically site-based, including outdoor working, working at height, and working away from home, including rural and remote locations, but normal duties also include workshop operations, office working and attendance at meetings with stakeholders, clients or colleagues. They will typically need to be able to drive.

An individual in this role might typically have a trade or profession, such as – but not exclusively – woodworker, bricklayer, stonemason, plasterer, metalworker or surveyor, and have specialist knowledge and experience of the requirements of working at heritage properties.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of clients, colleagues and stakeholders in the public, private and third sectors, within organisations of any size. Heritage Construction Specialists might work alone or as a more senior member of a small team. They may oversee or coordinate other personnel or subcontractors and will sometimes work with other heritage professionals, such as a conservation officer or architect, to develop the detailed conservation solutions for adapting older buildings and structures.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for assessing the condition of historic and traditional structures; understanding the significance and history of the buildings and structures they work on; conserving and enhancing the fabric of a building or structures according to its significance, performance characteristics and condition; integration of new systems (for example electrical, mechanical) into heritage buildings; creating recommendations and construction work plans, contributing to the costing and conducting of construction work to appropriate professional and conservation standards; liaising with specialist contractors, stakeholders and clients; documenting their work to appropriate conservation standards; communicating their work to the public. They need to be able to work alone or as part of a team, and make decisions about work plans for themselves and others.

Typical job titles include:

Conservation surveyor Site agent (heritage) Site manager

End-point assessment summary

ST1105, Heritage construction specialist level 5

This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.

What is an end-point assessment and why it happens

An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.

Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.

The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 24 months. The EPA period is typically 5 months.

The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:

  • fail
  • pass
  • distinction


EPA gateway

The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.

The gateway requirements for your EPA are:

  • achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
  • for the interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, you must submit a portfolio of evidence

Assessment methods

Project with report

You will complete a project and write a report. You will be asked to complete a project. The title and scope must be agreed with the EPAO at the gateway. The report should be a maximum of 5000 words (with a 10% tolerance).

You will have 12 weeks to complete the project and submit the report to the EPAO.

You will have a question and answer session with an independent assessor to discuss the project. It will last 40 minutes. They will ask at least 4 questions.


Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 75 minutes. They will ask you at least 8 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.


Who to contact for help or more information

You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.

You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.

You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments

If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.

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Employers involved in creating the standard: Historic England, National Trust, English Heritage, Churches Conservation Trust, House of Parliament Restoration & Renewal, Houghtons of York, Canal & Rivers Trust, Stonewest, Centre for Building Conservation Studies, Landmark Trust, DBR Ltd, Kierson Timber Restoration, Skillington Workshop Ltd, Owlsworth IJP, Burghley House Preservation Trust, Bridgett Conservation, Quadriga Contracts.

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.0 Approved for delivery 26/10/2023 Not set

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