Preservation Trades Initiative
Historic preservation would not be possible without the the people and business whose refined skillset in this unique field are able to make it a reality. Through years of training and experience, the passion for their work is showcased in the many buildings they help to restore, repair, and convert to fit the needs of the 21st century. The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is addressing severe workforce shortages in the preservation trades with a new multi-pronged approach that includes introducing old building specialties to high school students through week-long mini-internships, providing summer internship placements, and connecting with other preservation and guild-type groups engaged in their work, trades education programs, professional partners, and funding agencies.
Our next-generation worker placements help ensure preservation activity with the revival rehabilitation and stewardship of older buildings that we care about which, in turn, attract residents, visitors and businesses and keep more money circulating in local economies than new construction. We built relationships with the contractors who sponsor placements with our active community field services program that serves over 100 projects a year together with our educational offerings, planning grants and work with barn preservation. Photos: 2024 Preservation Alliance interns at Preservation Timber Framing and Historic Sashworks.
The work is fueled by a research report with three peer organizations funded by the Moe Family Fund for Statewide and Local Partners through the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The 1772 Foundation, and other donors.
Some highlights of the report revealed a severe workforce shortage in many areas related to the preservation trades while also showcasing a 96% job satisfaction rate.
Check out our blog to read more takeaways from this important collaborative report.
Start a rewarding career!
Interested in working on historic buildings or places, or know someone who might? Want a job with high satisfaction and lots of opportunities? Consider the old building trades!
From saving old barns to rehabilitating old houses, you can master traditional skills and turn them into a rewarding career. These job skills are in demand across the Northeast: timber framing, carpentry, wood window repair, plastering, masonry, stonework, ironwork, slate/copper roofing, stained glass, painting, decorative finishes and more.
Many businesses are hiring, and the N.H. Preservation Alliance can help you connect. We offer school vacation and summer opportunities to high school students and recent graduates. We can also make suggestions of people to talk to that might let you job shadow, offer a summer job and/or full-time employment.
Photo: Arch and Destiny (mini-intern, April 2024) with a NH Audubon window
Other resources:
Finding the Next Generation of Preservation Tradespeople, UNH Cooperative Extension article
Schools that specialize in old building carpentry and construction:
Heartwood School
North Bennet Street School
Be sure to check with schools about available financial aid. Here are some opportunities for additional financial assistance:
Plan NH Scholarships
New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
Photo: Creed and Pheobe (mini-interns, April 2024) sort rafters for a dismantled Boothbay barn.
