Last month the NSW Government launched a new training plan for workers with traditional building skills. Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Heritage Act, Dr Andrew Refshauge said that there was a growing demand for these specialist skills.

"Over the past few decades heritage trades have been in dramatic decline" said Dr Refshauge, "without this skills base many of our heritage buildings will be under threat".

The Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian buildings that give so much character to our towns and cities were built using the skills and technology of the time. They were constructed from traditional materials, using methods passed down from generation to generation. Skilled craftsmen learnt their trade through rigorous apprentice schemes and continued to refine their skills over a lifetime.

The buildings of today are built differently. Many of the old methods and materials have been replaced. New materials and methods such as reinforced concrete, prefabrication and steel frames have transformed the building industry. With buildings being constructed using new techniques, the traditional methods needed to maintain 19th century places are being forgotten.

Heritage roofer, Mr Pat Williams, recently replaced the oldest copper roof in Australia. His company, Period Roofing, carried out maintenance on the roof of the Observatory in Sydney.

"It all had to be done in the traditional manner," explained Mr Williams. "A traditional copper roof is a hand-formed roof - everything is done by hand. It's a bygone art and not many people know how to do it."

Many employers and contractors have had to look overseas for tradespeople competent in the repair and maintenance of traditional buildings. Pat Williams, for example, trained in London and employs tradesmen from Germany and Great Britain who have the skills needed for traditional roofing. Many of these countries have training programs and accreditation systems to ensure that tradespersons have adequate skills to work on historic buildings.

The new project to encourage the employment and training of workers in specialist skills is a joint initiative of the Department of Education and Training, the Heritage Office and the Department of Public Works and Services.

"The Heritage Trades Training Strategy will target both apprentices and qualified trades people and train them in the additional skills needed to conserve our heritage buildings."

"It will also encourage the building and construction industry to create on the job training in these areas," said Dr Refshauge.

"A training video to promote heritage trades will target school leavers and TAFE students, encouraging them to consider training opportunities in the heritage trades."

The Department of Public Works and Services which is responsible for the maintenance of heritage buildings owned by the State, already has 33 trainees on its books and takes on eight new apprentices a year into its conservation work programs.

Heritage courses are available through TAFE NSW as well as private training organisations. Courses such as Heritage Brickwork, Heritage Carpentry and Joinery, Heritage Painting and Decorating, Stonemasonry, Heritage Plastering and Heritage Roof Plumbing will help students and qualified tradespeople to gain the skills necessary to work on heritage buildings.