By Anne Akers
The Landmark Trust, which owns Calverley Old Hall, is offering 12 places on its Sector-Based Work Academy Programme to develop skills and experience in building and construction – with the chance of applying for a two-year apprenticeship.
The SWAPS are a national programme offering six week-long programmes, five days a week, with participants who claim benefits still able to do so.
At the Old Hall, the programme will cover a broad range of skills including:
- Stone masonry
- Joinery
- Bricklaying
- Lime plastering
- Leaded lights
- Carpentry
- Interview skills
- CV writing
- Applying for jobs
All SWAP participants who attend the full 6 weeks will be given the opportunity to interview for two full time, paid 2-year apprenticeships hosted by the main contractors for the Calverley Old Hall project.
The taught part of the apprenticeship will be at Leeds College of Building. The two apprenticeships are likely to be one in joinery and the other in brickwork.
Applications close Friday May 22.
Calverley Old Hall is a Grade 1 Listed Building, parts of it more than 800 years old. From being on the ‘at risk’ register due to its dilapidated condition, major work has now started to renovate the hall, offering holiday accommodation and community facilities.
Over 96% of the funding for this major project has been raised or identified, thanks to individual supporters, charitable trusts, and an initial grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
A second-round bid to the Heritage Fund for a £1.6m grant was submitted in November 2021, with an announcement expected this month.
If successful, and the remaining £187,000 can be raised, full restoration work can begin this summer. Landmark aims for the work to be finished for re-opening in 2024.